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Leafs practice notes: Hildeby projected to start vs. Sharks, no timeline for Tanev, Thrun makes season debut
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Photo credit: (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)
Arun Srinivasan
Dec 11, 2025, 12:30 ESTUpdated: Dec 11, 2025, 12:26 EST
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Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Dennis Hildeby is projected to start Thursday’s game against the San Jose Sharks. Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov split reps during Thursday’s optional skate, but the 24-year-old goaltender is line to make his third consecutive start.
Joseph Woll was on the ice for the optional skate. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube did not provide a firm timeline, but it’s possible that Woll could be available for Saturday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers, or Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Berube ruled out the possibility of Chris Tanev undergoing surgery. Tanev has been out of the lineup since sustaining an upper-body injury on November 1, but has been skating in a red non-contact jersey throughout the past week.
“I don’t believe that’s going to be an option right now, so just be patient and wait for the results,” Berube said of Tanev, noting that the team is still waiting for the results of Wednesday’s appointment.
Henry Thrun will be making his Leafs’ debut against his former team. Thrun was acquired in a trade in exchange for Ryan Reaves on July 11.
“It’s super exciting. Toronto is the biggest hockey market in the world, so being able to represent the NHL team here is pretty special,” Thrun said after the Leafs’ optional skate Thursday.
Thrun said he’s looking forward to proving against himself against the Sharks, with the opportunity to compete against his former teammates.
“I’ve played in enough NHL games to know how it works. A lot of excitement. This is the hockey Mecca of the world,” Thrun said, while noting that he didn’t target the Sharks for his debut.
Reaves is also thrilled for an opportunity to exact some revenge against the Maple Leafs.
“They basically said that I couldn’t play in this league anymore. And I’m back,” Reaves said, following the Sharks’ morning skate.

Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Sharks

Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Max Domi
Easton Cowan-John Tavares-Nick Robertson
Dakota Joshua-Nicolas Roy-William Nylander
Steven Lorentz-Scott Laughton-Calle Jarnkrok
Morgan Rielly-Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Jake McCabe-Troy Stecher 
Simon Benoit-Henry Thrun
Dennis Hildeby (projected starter)
Artur Akhtyamov 

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