Insider Elliotte Friedman hinted at a possible injury to a Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender after the organization is set to make a surprising roster move.
The Toronto Maple Leafs 2024-25 NHL season is finally starting tonight! The Leafs will play in Montreal to face the Canadiens this evening to open their season. This will mark Craig Berube’s first game as the Leafs’ head coach, as well as Auston Matthews’ first game as team captain. It’s safe to say that Toronto will do all they can to win the game for them.
Getting a strong season start for a new coach is crucial. However, it could turn out to be a lot more complicated than some people think.
Even if the Leafs looked good in the preseason games against the Canadiens, Montreal isn’t an easy team to beat. Despite Patrik Laine’s injury, the team is a lot better than last year. They brought young players ready to have an impact in the NHL, such as Lane Hutson, and they got back Kirby Dach, expected to play an important role on the top six.
Something else could complicate the Leafs’ road to winning. Indeed, according to the insider Elliotte Friedman, the Leafs are expected to call up the goaltender Dennis Hildeby from the AHL for tonight’s game.
In Friedman’s words:
While nothing has been confirmed, this could mean that either Anthony Stolarz or Joseph Woll are dealing with something that would prevent them from being at the game (likely an injury).
Let’s not forget that Woll missed the last game that the Leafs took part in: game seven of the first round of last year’s playoffs against the Boston Bruins. He was injured at the end of the sixth game, but according to general manager Brad Treliving said the goalie had a good summer and is hopeful he can remain healthy.
“He’s had a really good summer. He’s really fit. We, you know, looked at some different things in terms of his mechanics and all those types of things and core. But he’s always been dialed in with that. So, yeah, he’s put in all the work. We’re hopeful he can stay healthy. Stuff happens, but he’s looked real good.”
When he was asked to comment on the goalie’s health and if he’s confident that the injury concerns are behind him, he wasn’t very clear in his comment:
“Well, guys can get hurt, right? Like, that happens, you know. I don’t know. We hopefully spent lots of time on working at it, but that doesn’t mean, you know, sometimes luck runs in the way, right? ”
If they do decide to call up Dennis Hildeby, we should get an official update from the Leafs before the game. Stay tuned.
