Maple Leafs Goalie Prospect Dennis Hildeby Fully Prepared for NHL Debut in 2024-25

The crease for the Toronto Maple Leafs is crowded at the moment. Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz are the two most likely NHL goalies. The Toronto Marlies have Dennis Hildeby and former NHLer Matt Murray, a guy who desperately wants back in the NHL. Despite the crowd, Hildeby is staying levelheaded. He knows the crease is crowded and that competition for one of the team's top jobs is intense. So, for now, he plies his trade. He works. He prepares. He waits, patiently.

Injuries happen and Hildeby knows his time will come, so he's doing everything he can to make sure that once that call-up comes, he's ready. During his interview with Nick Barden of The Hockey News, he shared his plans for this upcoming season.

Hildeby was already called up last year, though he didn't play, and is currently looking to build on what was an excellent AHL rookie season, earning All-Star honours and setting a Marlies record in wins by a rookie goaltender with 21.

Matt Murray certainly has plenty of experience, but is also injury prone and his recent NHL numbers aren't great. He and Hildeby will likely split starts with the Marlies, at least to start the year -- if Murray is not claimed on waivers, should the Leafs attempt to send him down. For now, it looks like it's Hildeby's job to lose, and he's earned it.

Should Joseph Woll's injury struggles also remain a problem, and/or if Stolarz struggles, it could paint the Leafs into a corner. If Hildeby can get out to a strong start with the Marlies, it may only be a matter of time until we see him in the NHL. The only question is if new head coach Craig Berube will prefer Murray's experience instead of Hildeby's hot start to his AHL career. Either way, Hildeby will be ready.