The Tampa Bay Lightning front office didn\u2019t enter this offseason with the intention of adding another goalie to the organization’s NHL depth chart.<\/p>\n
When young Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Dennis Hildeby became available, however, Lightning general manager and vice president of hockey operations Julien BriseBois was quick to pull the trigger.<\/p>\n
Tampa Bay acquired the 24-year-old netminder in a July 1 trade along with a pair of draft picks in exchange for forward Nick Paul. Hildeby now has a chance to earn a full-time NHL job for the first time in his career this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we found out he was available we said, \u2018Okay, that’s something that’s worth exploring\u2019 because he’s 24 and did really well this year at the NHL level, has a track record of doing really well at the NHL level, has size, has a profile of goaltender that (goalie coach) Frantz Jean really appreciates,\u201d BriseBois said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just think he’s ready to be an NHL backup, and then you factor in that he’s only going to get better and he’s on a great contract for the next two years, there\u2019s a lot of value there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hildeby appeared in a career-high 20 games for Toronto last season, posting a 5-7-4 record with a .914 save percentage and 2.86 goals against average. The native of Jarfalla, Sweden finished with the best save percentage and goals against average of any Maple Leafs goalie.<\/p>\n
Toronto\u2019s fourth-round pick at the 2022 NHL Draft carries an 8-10-4 career NHL record and .906 career save percentage after also starting six NHL games in 2024-25.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen that season ended, I got a recipe for where I had to improve and I settled in a little more this year,\u201d Hildeby said of his NHL experience. \u201cI felt a little calmer, which definitely helped this season.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hildeby stands at a sturdy 6-foot-7 and relies on his size. Whenever it\u2019s his turn in net, he tries to mix a deep focus with an aggressive play style.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst of all it\u2019s the mental game of deep breaths and enjoying the moment. It’s the best league in the world, so it’s always a privilege playing there,\u201d he said. \u201cMy size is something I have very much to my advantage, and it\u2019s something I want to always use to my advantage while still not becoming this back-in goalie. I still want to have an aggressive approach with the mindset of being very big.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hildeby carries a 47-29-16 record across 96 American Hockey League showings and a .906 save percentage. He went 10-8-5 in the AHL last season before appearing in three games for the Toronto Marlies during the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs, going 1-1 with a .921 save percentage and 2.17 goals against average.<\/p>\n