Leafs organization provides update on top goalie prospect amid trade speculation

The Maple Leafs have been scouring the market for a upgrade but to no avail. That is why goaltending prospect Dennis Hildeby made the headlines earlier on Tuesday when he was held out of the Toronto Marlies annual Boxing Day game at the Scotiabank Arena.

Hildeby has been playing very well this season and his absence was notable considering he's played in 13 of the 26 games this season - the best of 4 different goaltenders to have played games for the Marlies - so to see him not even dress was surprising and led some to believe he was either involved in a trade package or that he was primed for an NHL call-up.

Well, everyone can calm down now,
because Hildeby isn't going anyhere. The decision to not dress Hildeby came from the Marlies head coach John Gruden, who explained that they wanted to give the youngster an extra day of rest before a pivotal contest against the division-leading Cleveland Monsters. He also noted that Hildeby was driven to Cleveland ahead of their game today against the Belleville Senators.

"We'd been having success with (Hildeby) and wanted to play him, but weren't planning on using him the game [since] before Christmas," Gruden said of Friday's 4-3 loss in Bellville. "We thought it best suited if we did it this way. We want to do what's best for everybody and give us the best chance moving forward."

The 22-year-old backstop has enjoyed a very successful campaign down in the AHL with a 7-4-2 record, a 2.08 G.A.A. and a .921 SV% - which is 2nd best amongst rookie goaltenders. The former 4th round pick from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft is by far the clear cut number one goalie and will look to propel the Marlies in a "measuring stick" game against Cleveland tonight.