Craig Berube Calls Out Toronto Maple Leafs Goaltender After Another Poor Showing
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube didn't mince words when it came to the performance of his rookie goaltender after Wednesday night's 5-1 loss.
It wasn't the game the Maple Leafs were hoping for, losing 5-1 to Columbus, and their head coach had some tough words for not only the team, but Dennis Hildeby specifically.
Craig Berube's Comments On Dennis Hildeby's Performance
Don't look for Dennis Hildeby to start any of the next few games though, as coach Craig Berube didn't mince words about his goaltender's performance on Wednesday.
I am not going to sit here and blame the goalie. It is a team game. We have to be better. We had to score some goals. We didn't.
It is a challenge. Listen, he is developing up here, getting practice time, and working with NHL shooters and our goalie coach. But I get what you're saying. Ideal situation: he is playing more games down in the minors. But that is not the situation right now."
Dennis Hildeby Isn't Reliable For Toronto Maple Leafs
With their three game winning streak ended in emphatic fashion, the Toronto Maple Leafs need to have a great bounce back game against Ottawa on Saturday as their brutal January schedule comes to a close.
Hildeby didn't look completely terrible against Columbus and the scoresheet has a lot to do with the Maple Leafs lack of defense plus an absurd empty-net decision with eight minutes left in the game.
But his lack of reps and clear inconsistencies can't be afforded now, especially when Toronto is dealing with Anthony Stolarz's injury, and only veteran Matt Murray to really hold things down if Joseph Woll [knock on wood] goes down.
Hildeby pushed his record to 3-3-0 but raised his goals against and save percentage to an unsightly 3.33 GAA and .878 SV% in the loss.
The Maple Leafs need to get more out of Dennis Hildeby and perhaps a demotion is what he needs to get back on track, but for now the team needs to make the best of an awkward situation.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 23 | 742 ANSWERS Craig Berube Calls Out Toronto Maple Leafs Goaltender After Another Poor Showing Do you think Toronto needs to send Dennis Hildeby down to the AHL? | ||
| Yes | 682 | 91.9 % |
| No | 60 | 8.1 % |
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![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) skates against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531875.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) skates against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
