Toronto Maple Leafs sign Dennis Hildeby to three-year extension

The Toronto Maple Leafs finalized an important piece of business on Tuesday in Toronto, announcing a three-year contract extension for goaltender Dennis Hildeby. The deal carries an average annual value of $841,667 and removes the final restricted free agent from general manager Brad Treliving’s offseason to-do list.

With this signing complete, Treliving can now turn full attention to training camp, the pre-season schedule, and the possibility of professional tryouts.The contract is structured to support Hildeby’s ongoing development. For the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons, the deal is two-way, allowing the Maple Leafs flexibility in moving him between the NHL and AHL. Beginning in 2027-28, it shifts to a one-way format, a move that points toward the organization’s confidence in Hildeby as a potential NHL-calibre goaltender.

Why Dennis Hildeby could be the Toronto Maple Leafs’ next full-time NHL goaltender

Drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, Dennis Hildeby has steadily built a résumé in North America. His NHL action came during the 2024-25 season, when injuries pushed him into six games with the Maple Leafs. He went 3-3-0 with a .872 save percentage and a 3.33 goals-against average. While the numbers reflected his adjustment to the league, the experience offered him a firsthand look at the demands of NHL competition.

At the AHL level with the Toronto Marlies, Hildeby’s results have been more consistent. In 30 games during the 2024-25 season, he recorded a 16-9-4 record with a 2.55 goals-against average, a .908 save percentage, and two shutouts. Across his AHL career, he has appeared in 73 games, posting a 37-21-11 record with a 2.53 goals-against average, a .909 save percentage, and six shutouts.“Every time he’s been called upon, he’s handled himself with professionalism,” a team official noted in Toronto earlier this summer.

That assessment underlines why the Maple Leafs continue to view him as a player who could grow into a regular NHL role.

What Dennis Hildeby’s contract means for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ goalie future

The structure of Hildeby’s new deal also aligns with upcoming roster decisions. Current backup Anthony Stolarz is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season. If the Maple Leafs choose to re-sign Stolarz for a short term, his contract would overlap with the point at which Hildeby’s deal converts to one-way status in 2027-28.

That timing reflects how the organization is planning its depth chart in goal, keeping Hildeby in position to take on a larger role in the near future.For now, Hildeby remains the top option for call-ups when injuries strike, as seen last season. His continued performance in the AHL will dictate how quickly he moves up the depth chart.By securing Hildeby on Tuesday, the Maple Leafs ensured stability in their goaltending pipeline. The combination of a two-way start and a one-way finish to his contract signals a clear progression plan. If his numbers with the Marlies translate upward, Hildeby could be positioned to make the jump to a full-time NHL role by the time his deal enters its final year.Also Read: Quinn Hughes’ future in question while Vancouver Canucks takes another look at Vitali Kravtsov