Toronto Maple Leafs Goaltending Update
During Monday’s practice session, the Toronto Maple Leafs indicated that Dennis Hildeby is likely to serve as the backup goaltender behind Anthony Stolarz as the team gears up for its regular season opener against the Montreal Canadiens on October 8. Meanwhile, the future of veteran goaltender James Reimer, who is currently on a professional tryout, remains uncertain.
Practice Insights
On the ice, Hildeby and Stolarz were the only goaltenders present alongside the anticipated NHL roster, with the exception of Henry Thrun, who was placed on waivers the previous day. When asked about Reimer’s status, head coach Craig Berube responded cautiously, stating:
“That’s still up in the air. I don’t have a lot to say on that. He’s had no time.”
Reimer’s recent performance included 24 saves on 28 shots during a 6-5 overtime defeat to the Detroit Red Wings, marking his first game with the Maple Leafs after more than nine years. It’s noteworthy that all of Detroit’s goals came while the team was on the power play, raising questions about the fairness of Reimer’s evaluation given the limited sample size. Berube acknowledged the small window in which Reimer operated:
“I mean, he got a half a game. And, you know, we’re in a box for it. So he got a lot of action. But anyways, that’ll play itself out right now.”
Team Lineup and Future Considerations
Reimer joined the team shortly after Joseph Woll stepped away for personal reasons, and he participated alongside other Marlies players at a recent marketing event. As for the team’s lineup during practice, key forward combinations included Knies playing alongside Matthews and Maccelli, while the defensive pairings featured Rielly with Carlo and McCabe with Tanev.
Berube expressed confidence in Hildeby’s progress, noting the young goaltender’s impressive .920 save percentage over three games in camp, outperforming the other competing goaltenders. As the season approaches, the Leafs may consider deploying Hildeby during the second night of back-to-back games occurring on October 13 against the Red Wings and October 14 against the Nashville Predators. In the meantime, the performance of Stolarz, who recently signed a four-year contract worth $15 million, will be closely monitored as he assumes the starting role and handles an increased workload in the lead-up to the season.
Reimer’s Future
Meanwhile, Reimer remains hopeful as he awaits clarity on his future with the organization. His return to the Maple Leafs has been met with enthusiasm, especially after such a long absence from the team. The developments surrounding the goaltending situation will surely be a focal point as the regular season approaches.
