Surprising Maple Leafs Goalie Rumored To Be On Trade Market

Things have gone from bad to worse for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are second last in the Eastern Conference, 10 points out of a playoff spot, no help is coming, and they have lost six games in a row and eight of nine. There are going to be some changes, and selling seems like a viable option for them unless something turns around immediately.

The Maple Leafs have three capable NHL goalies, so someone has to go. With the injuries earlier in the season, Dennis Hildeby got the opportunity and ran with it for Toronto, proving he is NHL-ready and should be back in the NHL this season. He was sent down when Anthony Stolarz returned. Joseph Woll is also on the roster and was performing at a similar level as Hildeby.

Anthony Di Marco suggested, "One interesting name that could be on the goaltender market is Dennis Hildeby." I think this is dead wrong. A young goalie has worked to prove himself in the NHL, he's a fresh look that doesn't have bad injury history, and is only 24, so he's expected to get a lot better. That's not someone a team trades without having an elite goalie locked up long term in front of him.

Woll is also not the goalie to go. Stolarz is the clear trade target and certain teams are looking for help in net. Stolarz has come back and proved he is healthy. There isn't a team playing great in front of him, so his numbers won't look like they did last season, but he had a couple of seasons to prove what kind of goalie he is prior to this season.

Stolarz has a $2.5 million AAV cap hit and an eight team no-trade list. When his next contract kicks in, he'll be under contract for four years at $3.75 million AAV with a 16-team no-trade list. This is definitely workable, and if he can play closer to the level he was at in 2023-24 and 2024-25, then that's very much worth it, even for a split role.

Hildeby is the last goaltender the Maple Leafs should trade. Stolarz has value, and if Toronto is trying to find value to acquire some real help at forward or defense, there are other places to look.