The Maple Leafs called up goaltender Dennis Hildeby from the Toronto Marlies on an emergency basis Friday morning after Anthony Stolarz suffered a lower-body injury in the first period of Thursday’s 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks at Scotiabank Arena.
Coach Craig Berube provided an update after Friday’s practice at the Ford Performance Centre, stating that Stolarz is day-to-day. “I thought we got good news on him,” Berube said. “He didn’t practice today, but we’ll see tomorrow if he can get out there.”
When asked if Stolarz would return next week, Berube expressed optimism but noted that Stolarz needs to get back on the ice first. “Yeah, I do,” he said. “But he has to get on the ice. It was good news overall. Let’s leave it at that.”
Stolarz, who leads all NHL goalies with a .927 save percentage in at least 10 games played, will miss the Leafs’ back-to-back games this weekend—Saturday’s road matchup against Detroit and Sunday’s home game against Buffalo.
Meanwhile, winger Bobby McMann is expected to return to the lineup against the Red Wings after missing the past seven games due to a lower-body injury sustained in the Nov. 27 game against Florida. McMann, who described overstretching during a stride as the cause of his injury, feels ready to return. “I feel good, I feel ready to go,” he said.
After Stolarz’s injury, Joseph Woll took over in net and stopped 19 of 20 shots. Woll is expected to start against Detroit, with the Leafs’ goaltending situation to be reassessed afterward.
Hildeby, who has posted a .897 save percentage and a 2.73 goals-against average in six games with the Marlies this season, also made two appearances for the Leafs earlier in the season. In those two games, he went 1-1-0, with a .869 save percentage and a 4.03 goals-against average.
The 23-year-old acknowledged his struggles with the Marlies this season. “It has been up and down,” Hildeby said. “Got some things to work on, but we’re getting there.” He identified areas like rhythm, timing, screen management, and depth as areas for improvement but remained optimistic. “I’m not necessarily worried,” he said.
Reflecting on his two games with the Leafs in October, Hildeby noted that they provided valuable lessons. “They’re going to help me, for sure,” he said. “What those two games taught me was that I still have a lot of things to work on. I have a clearer picture of what that is.”
