Counting Down the Top 10 Maple Leafs Prospects in 2024: No. 4 – Dennis Hildeby
Dennis Hildeby had a strong debut season in the Toronto Marlies’ net and he’s looking to have an even better year in the AHL in 2024-25.
From Aug. 12 to Aug. 23, I will highlight the top 10 prospects within the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. The rankings will be based on:
- Highest ceiling at the NHL level, under 23 years old
- Past season of play on their perspective team
- Closest to seeing an NHL game with the Maple Leafs
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Dennis Hildeby (Toronto, AHL), 23, G, 6-foot-7, 222 lbs
Hildeby appeared in a whopping 41 games with the Marlies in the AHL last year, 14 more than he’s ever played in a hockey season. It was an opportunity for the 23-year-old to cement himself as one of the up-and-coming goaltenders in the Maple Leafs organization.
And he did just that.
The towering 6-foot-7 netminder had a .913 save percentage and a rookie franchise-record 21 wins in his debut season in North America. He also had a brief stint with the Maple Leafs, and although he didn’t appear in a game, the goaltender took a lot from the experience.
Hildeby was also voted an AHL All-Star alongside his fellow teammate Alex Steeves. It was something the netminder took a lot of pride in.
“It was a good learning year for me,” Hildeby told TSN’s Mark Masters earlier this summer.
I learned several things about Hildeby over the last year from speaking with him and his teammates. He expects a lot from himself, which isn’t necessarily bad. The goaltender works hard, on the ice during a game and off the ice in his preparation, which translates to success.
“He looks after himself in an elite way. You always see him stretching, cold tubs, eating healthy. He’s really willing to do what it takes to be prepared and it’s obviously paying off for him,” Marlies captain Logan Shaw said when Hildeby became an AHL All-Star.
Hildeby is a massive goaltender, there’s no denying that. He’s also always in the right position to make a save, which explains Hildeby’s early success in the AHL. He has adapted well to the North American game.
The Swedish goaltender is also a very sound skater who can get across and make a save fast. That helps when there’s a quick pass across the crease, which he seemed to get a lot last season.
His body was tested a lot this past year, in many different scenarios, and it should be very promising for Toronto that an injury didn’t occur given their history with goaltenders being injured.
“It’s been a long year for him. He’s played a lot of hockey, it being his first year,” Marlies head coach John Gruden said after Hildeby set the new Marlies rookie win record. “It’s a lot to ask from a rookie goaltender. He’s answered the bell. He likes the moment.”
The next step for Hildeby will be to bring last season’s success into this year. He had a strong debut — there’s no doubt about that — but if Hildeby can become even more consistent in the Marlies’ net next season, there’s no reason he can’t be an NHL goalie soon.
He’ll likely split games with Matt Murray this year if the goaltender comes down to the AHL after training camp. It’ll be a good opportunity for Hildeby to have competition in the net, and along with that, a goaltender who he can learn from.
If there’s an injury with the Maple Leafs, it’s always possible that Hildeby gets called up. However, with Murray’s resume, and how important it is for the younger goaltender to play games, it’s unlikely Hildeby is the first choice.
However, if he’s playing lights-out in the net, I don’t see why Toronto wouldn’t call him up to see what’s there. It’s a massive season for Hildeby, but as many have told me about the goaltender, he doesn’t shy away from the moment
