A Gavin McKenna problem has emerged shortly after Sergei Bobrovsky signed with Leafs
Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Fans spent the weekend arguing about McKenna's jersey number after Bobrovsky laid claim to 72.
That story was never the real one.
"How many Leafs fans bought 72 McKenna jerseys just for Bobrovsky to now probably take it?"
- World Hockey Report
- World Hockey Report
On July 1, John Chayka sent Hildeby to Tampa Bay along with a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 third-rounder for centre Nick Paul.
Hildeby posted a .914 save percentage and 2.86 goals-against average in 20 games for Toronto last season, numbers most NHL backups would take immediately.
Hildeby won't get buried on Toronto's depth chart. He got traded, and the reason has nothing to do with who played better.
The mechanic that actually decided this
Bobrovsky's three-year, $7 million deal, paired with Anthony Stolarz, left Toronto with three NHL-caliber goalies and space for two.
Hildeby had lost his waiver exemption heading into next season. Artur Akhtyamov, fresh off a strong Calder Cup run with the Marlies, still has his.
Carrying Hildeby risked losing him for nothing on waivers, so trading him first was the only way to get value back.
Why this extends past Toronto
Every team eventually hits this math. Waiver status, not performance, often decides which goaltender survives a crease crunch.
Paul addresses a real centre need after a down year in Tampa, but the goaltending decision was forced by roster mechanics months before free agency opened.
Hildeby leaves as the better goalie on paper. He just ran out of roster runway first. The argument over who gets to wear #72 won't matter down the road as long as the team is winning.
Also read on House Of Hockey :
Darnell Nurse blasts the Oilers and their fans after his trade to Sharks
Darnell Nurse blasts the Oilers and their fans after his trade to Sharks