A look at the suddenly crowded crease in Toronto
Artur Akhtyamov - 20 - 4th round, 2020 Draft
Akhtyamov has had an up-and-down career so far, quite literally splitting time consistently between Bars Kazan of the VHL and Irbis Kazan of the MHL. He has also made 4 appearances in the KHL with AK Bars Kazan and played one game at the 2021 World Juniors. Between the MHL and VHL, his numbers have been very good posting average save percentage of .928 and an average GAA of 2.00. For the upcoming season, he has been tabbed as the starter for Neftyanik Almetievsk of the VHL. While a long-shot to make the NHL, his development has been on an upswing and at the very least could provide the Leafs with a solid AHL goalie and spot starts in the NHL. According to Dobber Prospects, Akhtyamov is a strong positional netminder with good reflexes and compete level. He will need to add some size to his 6'1 frame though as he is only listed at 168 pounds currently.
Vyacheslav Peksa - 19 - 6th Round, 2021 Draft
Peksa, Akhtyamov's teammate, posted a record of 30-17-8, including nine shutouts, to go along with a 1.79 GAA and .936 SV% with Irbis Kazan in 56 games last season. Another «dart in the dart board» so to speak for this Leaf pick, who is relatively unknown. At 6'2 and only 163 pounds, Peksa will certainly have to add size to his frame if he wants to make the jump to North America. Dobber Prospects describes Peksa as a lean, athletic goalie that relies on his reaction time and positioning, but is a long-term project.
Dryden McKay - 24 - Undrafted
McKay's pro career has gotten off to a tough start after signing a 2-year deal with the Leafs as he unfortunately and unknowingly violated anti-doping rules. He received a 6 month period of ineligibility and will be able to use the Leafs' facilities beginning August 25 and be eligible to play beginning October 11th. McKay played the past 4 seasons at Minnesota State University where he appeared in 140 games with Minnesota State over four seasons, posting a 113-20-4 record with a 1.46 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage. He was the winner of the 2022 Hobey Baker Award. At 6'0 and 183 pounds, McKay could add some more size to his frame and looks to be starting his professional career in the ECHL with the Newfoundland Growlers. While he has some upside, it is very rare we see an undrafted NCAA goalie make the NHL. At the very least, McKay could receive a look with the Marlies at some point should his play warrant it.
Joseph Woll - 24 - 3rd Round, 2016 Draft
While he was drafted in 2016, Woll elected to pursue an education and spent 3 seasons backstopping the renowned Boston College program where he posted a save percentage of .915 and a GAA of 2.51 before joining the Marlies for the 2019/20 season. In 3 seasons with the Marlies, Woll has struggled with injuries, which has led to sub-par numbers. On the bright side though, he made his NHL debut last season, posting a 3-1 record with a 2.76GAA and .911 save percentage and 1 shutout. Woll will begin the season battling with Erik Kallgren for the starting job with the Marlies, a revamped goalie development department and if he can stay healthy Woll could take a big step in his development. Former NHL goaltender Mike McKenna called Woll one of the best young goalies he has ever coached, has followed his career and expects a massive breakout campaign from him in the AHL this season.
Dennis Hildeby - 21 - 4th Round, 2022 Draft
Hildeby is by far the Leafs' largest goalie at 6'6 and 234 pounds and uses that size to his advantage. Scouts have described him as a highly poised goalie that anticipates lateral play well and has the athleticism to recover if and when he is caught out of position. In limited action last season, Hildeby put up a 2.80 GAA and a .931 SV% at the J20 level and a .931 SV% to go along with a 1.93 GAA in seven appearances in the SHL. Scouts have also said that he has made great strides in his development during this past season. Signed with Farjestad for another 2 years, he won't be making an appearance with the Marlies or Leafs until at least the 2024/25 season, but with his development trajectory, the gamble the Leafs took could see him play NHL minutes soon after arriving in North America, given his advanced age and his pro experience.
Keith Petruzzelli - 23 - 3rd Round, 2017 Draft
Petruzzelli spent 4 seasons at Quinnipac University where his numbers improved each season, before electing to become a free agent instead of signing with the Wings. In doing so, he signed a 2-year deal with the Leafs and joined them this past season. He spent the 2020/21 seasons mainly with the ECHL's Newfoundland Growlers playing in 23 games, posting a .927 save percentage and 2.01GAA before playing in 5 games with the Marlies. Petruzzelli is one of the bigger goalies in the Leafs' system at 6'5, but needs to add weight as he is only listed at 185 pounds. Petruzzelli is an athletic goalie that has very good positioning. Former Marlies captain Rich Clune said that Petruzzelli is a very technical goalies, that doesn't get flustered. Given that Woll and Kallgren are all but guaranteed both jobs for the Marlies, Petruzzelli will begin the season with the Growlers, but if he continues to play well, he could very well find his way onto the Marlies and force them to carry three goalies at the very least.
Erik Kallgren - 25 - 7th Round, 2015 Draft
Kallgren was relatively unknown as he was drafted in the 7th round by the Coyotes and spent the previous two seasons in Sweden. He joined the Marlies for the start of last season and was thrust into action with the Leafs after Woll and Mrazek went down with injury. In 14 games, Kallgren didn't post great numbers having a 3.31GAA and a .888 save percentage. In 26 games with the Marlies last season, he posted far better numbers with a 3.02 GAA and a .904 save percentage. There is still room for improvement, but a healthy competition with Woll for the starter's job on the Marlies and a revamped goalie development department Kallgren could see massive improvement in his play.
The Leafs have also added Luke Cavallin earlier this year and have also signed Dylan Ferguson to a PTO.
