Maple Leafs Make Decision On Dennis Hildeby After Woeful Performance

Earlier on Tuesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs said that Joseph Woll was "close" but not quite ready to return yet, so raw youngster Dennis Hildeby got another start between the pipes that night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. For the Leafs' sake, they better hope that Woll is "ready" now, as Hildeby proved that he was not ready for prime time after all, taking the metaphorical punch in the face in a 6-2 Leafs loss on the second night of a back-to-back.

Now, Hildeby has been sent back to the AHL Marlies, to get his confidence back, while has been officially activated from injured reserve.

The #leafs have activated Joseph Woll from injured reserve and assigned Dennis Hildeby to the AHL Marlies.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 24, 2024

You can be 6'7 and find success as a goalie relying on your size in every league except the NHL.
— Ah yes, the Leafs (@LeafsAllDayy) October 23, 2024

Mathieu Olivier's snipe has the Jackets up by 3 on the Leafs in the first#CBJ pic.twitter.com/v2xsGTctLs
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) October 23, 2024

Woll was scratched from his opening night start just hours before game time on Oct. 9th, complaining of groin "tightness." He went on injured reserve, and now, two weeks later, will officially rejoin the roster.

Woll has faced injury issues throughout his young NHL career, and despite his return, his latest trip to injured reserve just may have cost him his starting role, as presumed backup Anthony Stolarz stepped in and has been tremendous in goal for the Leafs, with a .938 save percentage and a 1.93 goals against average in five starts.