The Toronto Maple Leafs snapped out of their recent funk in emphatic fashion on Saturday night, routing the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-2 on the road. It was a much-needed win, but don’t let the lopsided score fool you - this wasn’t a wire-to-wire domination.
In fact, the Leafs were outshot 35-23 and spent stretches of the game on their heels. The difference?
Backup goaltender Dennis Hildeby stood tall, quite literally and figuratively, delivering a rock-solid performance that gave Toronto the breathing room it needed to pull away.
What made Hildeby’s showing even more impressive was the context. He hadn’t seen game action in over two weeks, with Joseph Woll carrying the load since returning from a personal absence.
Woll has been nothing short of excellent in that stretch, but on Saturday, it was Hildeby’s turn to shine - and he did just that. Calm, composed, and technically sharp, Hildeby gave the Leafs exactly what you want from your number two: a dependable presence who can step in and steal a game when needed.
Naturally, that kind of performance has sparked conversation in Toronto - and not just about Hildeby’s emergence. With both goalies showing well, fans and analysts alike are starting to wonder if the Leafs might have a surplus in net worth exploring. Specifically, the chatter has turned toward veteran Anthony Stolarz and whether he could become a trade chip.
Now, let’s be clear: there’s no indication that Toronto is actively shopping Stolarz. But the idea isn’t without merit. With Woll looking like a legitimate starter and Hildeby proving he can handle NHL minutes, Stolarz becomes an intriguing asset - especially for a team looking to bolster other areas of the roster.
Stolarz, 31, is in the final year of a two-year, $5 million deal he signed as a free agent in 2024. He’s already locked in for four more years after that, with a $15 million extension set to kick in for the 2026-27 season. That kind of contract stability can be attractive to teams in need of goaltending help - and there are plenty of those around the league.
So who might pick up the phone if Stolarz were made available?
The Edmonton Oilers are an obvious candidate. Their goaltending situation has been a revolving door, and adding a 6'6", 248-pound veteran with playoff experience could bring some much-needed stability. The Montreal Canadiens also come to mind, though it’s hard to imagine Toronto dealing a key asset to a divisional - and historical - rival unless the return is overwhelming.
Elsewhere, the Carolina Hurricanes could be a fit. They’ve been snakebitten by injuries in net, and Stolarz could offer some insurance as they look to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference.
And then there’s the Utah Mammoth, still trying to find their footing in goal behind Karel Vejmelka. Adding a proven backup who can step into a larger role if needed might be exactly what they’re looking for.
Of course, the goaltending market is always fluid. Injuries, slumps, and surprise playoff pushes can change the landscape overnight. If the Leafs decide to at least explore what Stolarz might fetch on the trade market, they’ll likely find no shortage of interested parties.
For now, though, Toronto finds itself in a rare position of strength in the crease - a luxury in today’s NHL. Whether they decide to leverage that depth for roster upgrades or simply ride the hot hands in net, it’s a good problem to have. And if Saturday night was any indication, Dennis Hildeby is ready for whatever role the Leafs ask him to play next.