The Toronto Maple Leafs have been a part of current NHL rumors, but not for the right reasons. The Leafs are on a direct path to becoming sellers amid a disappointing season.
While the prevailing opinion is that the Maple Leafs don’t have significant assets to trade, the club does have a few interesting pieces drawing attention.
One piece in particular in 24-year-old netminder Dennis Hildeby. Hildeby has gotten some attention from the Philadelphia Flyers, as Daily Faceoff’s Anthony DiMarco noted. In a January 27 piece, DiMarco looked at potential solutions for the Flyers’ goaltending woes. The noted insider mused about Hildeby being a long-term solution for the Flyers.
But that situation depends on what the Maple Leafs would be willing to get back. Of course, that’s assuming the Leafs were willing to move Hildeby.
DiMarco speculated that the Maple Leafs would have their sights set on a high-end blueliner on the Flyers’ roster. However, DiMarco doesn’t believe the Flyers would entertain that deal:
“The Leafs have a few glaring holes to address. Their No. 1 need is arguably a puck-moving defenseman. I suppose right-shot defenseman Jamie Drysdale would be atop their wish list in a prospective deal for Hildeby, but I can’t see the Flyers going for that.”
A deal with Hildeby and Drysdale as the main pieces would certainly be a stunner. But it doesn’t seem that the two sides would be willing to pull the trigger on that deal.
Still, the Flyers have other pieces that may be enticing to the Maple Leafs.
Maple Leafs Could Find a Solution for Top-Six Forward
DiMarco speculated that the Flyers could also offer a top-six forward as a potential option for the Maple Leafs.
The first name that comes to mind is Owen Tippett. Tippett is a young top-six scoring winger with a decent cap hit. However, DiMarco noted that his sources indicated the Flyers are not looking to move Tippett any time soon.
That situation also led DiMarco to speculate about Bobby Brink. However, the prospect of a Brink-for-Hildeby deal may not fly for the Maple Leafs. Perhaps Brink, plus other pieces, may get the wheels turning.
Hildeby Would Be Goalie of the Future in Philadelphia
Considering that Hildeby is still 24 and under a very palatable contract for two more seasons, the Flyers could find a long-term solution in the Maple Leafs’ netminder.
While there’s certainly no indication the Maple Leafs would entertain trading Hildeby, the Leafs’ logjam suggests that a trade could be a possibility. In addition to Hildeby, NHL netminders Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz would be ahead of Hildeby on the club’s depth chart.
Unless the Leafs are comfortable with Hildeby being a starter in the AHL, something has to give. The Woll-Hildeby tandem looked good during Stolarz’s prolonged absence. So, it may be a matter of time before the Maple Leafs decide to move a goalie.
It’s worth pointing out that Stolarz will have a contract extension kicking in next season. That situation might make it virtually impossible to trade him. The squeeze could ultimately come between Woll and Hildeby.
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