The Maple Leafs are recalling rookie goalie Dennis Hildeby for a game against the Blues, making roster adjustments due to Martin Jones’ injury and activating center David Kämpf, while likely placing Conor Timmins on injured reserve and returning Maxime Lajoie to the AHL.
The Maple Leafs are shaking things up again. This time, they’re bringing back rookie goalie Dennis Hildeby. It’s his second call-up this season, all thanks to TSN’s Mark Masters spilling the beans. With backup Martin Jones sidelined due to an injury he snagged before Monday’s practice, things are getting dicey.
So, here’s the deal. Toronto’s gotta make room for not just one, but two players before Tuesday’s clash with the Blues. They’re juggling to keep three goalies on hand and to get center David Kämpf back in the game. Kämpf’s been out with an injury, missing three games, but he’s set for a comeback against St. Louis, Coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed Tuesday morning.
What’s their move? Likely, Conor Timmins is hitting the injured reserve list, thanks to a bout with mono. And Maxime Lajoie? He’s headed back to AHL Toronto after filling in on an emergency basis. Keefe laid out these plans Tuesday, hinting at the shifts needed to keep the team competitive.
Now, let’s talk about Hildeby. The 22-year-old goalie had a brief stint with the Leafs last month. He was filling in for Joseph Woll, sidelined with a high ankle sprain, and Ilya Samsonov, who was off refining his skills in the AHL after a rocky season start. Standing tall at 6-foot-7 and weighing in at 223 pounds, this Swede’s first North American pro season is looking solid. He’s boasting a .913 save percentage and four shutouts over 24 AHL games. Yet, he’s still waiting to make his NHL debut.
As for Jones, the 34-year-old goalie had a rough go in a recent loss to the Senators. Despite stopping 27 of 31 shots, the game ended in a 5-3 defeat. This loss broke a streak of five consecutive starts for Samsonov. Jones has seen better days, with his save percentage dipping to .908. However, it’s his best performance in six years, showing some resilience. This year, he’s started 16 games and made two relief appearances, holding a 9-7-1 record with two shutouts. Quite the journey for Toronto’s third-string goalie, navigating through a season of ups and downs.
