Maple Leafs and Dennis Hildeby End Stalemate With Oddly-Structured Extension

Following a long summer of negotiations, the Leafs announced Tuesday morning that they have agreed to terms on a new, three-year extension with their 2022 fourth-round pick.

A restricted free agent, Hildeby was issued a qualify offer by the Maple Leafs ahead of the June 30th deadline, but looked content to at least enter training camp without a new contract.

The three-year extension is an odd one -- a two-way contract for the next two seasons before it becomes a one-way contract in the 2027-28 season and it carries a cap hit slightly more than $841K per season.

Without Matt Murray, who defected to the Seattle Kraken, Hildeby is expected to become the Toronto Marlies number one goaltender. Last season saw the Swedish native played in 30 regular season games, posting a 16-9-4 record with a very respectable 2.55 goals-against average and .908 save percentage.

In addition to playing 30 games for the Marlies, Hildeby was thrust into NHL action six times last year thanks to injuries to Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz where he posted a 3-3 record along with a .878 save percentage and 3.16GAA. While those numbers aren't great, the 6'7, 224-pound netminder proved that he can provide NHL-calibre goaltending in a pinch.

Suggested by some to be a steal in the 2022 draft, Hildeby is considered by many to be on his way to becoming a reliable, every-day NHL goaltender for the Leafs in the future.