Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Woll, Hildeby, Stolarz, Akhtyamov & Good Karma

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the middle of the offseason, but there are still interesting stories around the organization. Some involve players who could be part of the club’s future, while others focus on those moving on after leaving their mark in Toronto.

Today, two goaltending stories stand out. One centers on Dennis Hildeby, whose future with the organization remains uncertain. The other involves Joseph Woll, who recently said goodbye to Maple Leafs fans after being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. One goalie appears to be moving closer to a larger role, while the other begins a new chapter elsewhere.

Hildeby’s Future: One of Maple Leafs’ Training Camp Questions

The Maple Leafs have a goaltending decision to make this summer. While most of the attention has focused on Anthony Stolarz, Hildeby put together a solid 2025-26 season, leaving the organization with some important questions heading into training camp.

Hildeby’s season took a few unexpected turns. When injuries sidelined both Stolarz and Woll, he stepped into the NHL crease and handled himself well during the first extended opportunity of his career. He played 20 games and finished with a team-best .914 save percentage. Oddly enough, his American Hockey League (AHL) numbers weren’t quite as strong, and by playoff time, he had lost the starter’s role with the Toronto Marlies to Artur Akhtyamov. Still, Hildeby played well, with a .921 save percentage in three postseason games.

That leaves the Maple Leafs in a somewhat awkward position. Unlike Akhtyamov, Hildeby needs to clear waivers before being sent back to the AHL. Given the flashes he showed with the Maple Leafs, there is a good chance another team would claim him. At the same time, Akhtyamov’s strong season helped him climb the organizational depth chart. There are also indications that Toronto might still look to add another goaltender before the season begins.

For now, Hildeby seems the most logical candidate to open the season as Stolarz’s backup. The team has invested time in his development, and his NHL performance suggests there may be more upside to uncover. Whether he becomes part of Toronto’s long-term solution in net remains to be seen, but his situation is shaping up as one of the stories to watch when training camp opens this fall.

Goodbye, Joseph Woll: A Class Act Leaves Toronto

Sometimes a trade is about more than statistics and salary cap decisions. That’s certainly the case with Woll, who said goodbye to Maple Leafs fans after being traded to the Flyers earlier this month. Toronto chose to build around Stolarz while also keeping faith in Hildeby and Akhtyamov. That left Woll looking for a new home, and Philadelphia was happy to give him one.

Woll posted a heartfelt message that reminded fans why he was so easy to cheer for. He thanked the organization, the city, his friends, and especially his teammates for making his time in Toronto special. He shared that he would always be proud of and grateful for his years with the Maple Leafs, and he ended with a message to his new team: “Philly, get ready.”

If there was one thing fans learned about Woll during his time in Toronto, it was that he was the definition of a team-first player. Injuries often interrupted what looked like a promising career trajectory, but he always handled himself professionally. That attitude was on display again after the trade, as Woll spoke enthusiastically about joining the Flyers and beginning the next chapter of his career.

The Flyers believe they have added an important piece to their future. Woll won 39 games over the past two seasons and posted save percentages of .907 and .909 while playing behind a team that often left its goaltenders exposed. For Toronto fans, it’s a chance to wish a good player and a good person well. Sometimes a goodbye is simply a thank you, and Woll earned plenty of those during his time in Toronto.

What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?

The Maple Leafs’ goaltending picture continues to evolve. One chapter ended with Woll’s departure, while another may just be beginning for Hildeby. Whether Hildeby ultimately claims a permanent NHL role remains to be seen, but the organization’s decisions over the next few months will tell us a lot about how it views its future in net.

For now, fans can appreciate both sides of the equation. Woll leaves Toronto with plenty of goodwill and the feeling that he deserves some good hockey karma, while Hildeby heads into training camp with a chance to prove he belongs. Sometimes one player’s exit creates another’s chance, and that’s exactly where the Maple Leafs find themselves as they prepare for the 2026-27 season.