Leafs goaltending prospect absolutely going off this year, giving hope for the future in net
With all eyes currently on the goaltending conundrum at the NHL level in Toronto, Vyacheslav Peksa, who currently plays for Bars Kazan of the VHL (Supreme Hockey League) is a sight for sore eyes.
Drafted 185th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Peksa stands at 6'2 but is not a very broad goaltender, at only 163 lbs. He has plenty of time to grow into his larger frame but his small size hasn't stopped him from performing admirably for Bars Kazan this year. He just recently back-stopped his team to a 2-0 win, recording his first shutout of the season, and improving his record to 7-3-1 with peripherals that include a 1.94 G.A.A. and a .935 SV%.
In his draft year he appeared in 17 games for Irbis Kazan of the MHL (Junior Hockey League) and posted a 8-5-2 record with a 2.57 G.A.A. and a .909 SV%. The following season - 2021-22 - he took over the MHL with a 30-17-8 record, a gaudy 1.79 GAA and a sparkling .936 SV%. He also took part in 13 playoff games and posted a 2.15 GAA and a .919 SV%.
He is seemingly improving year by year and now that he's been promoted from the Junior League (MHL) to the Super League (VHL) on a full-time basis, it's great news that he's keeping it up with similar numbers at the ripe old age of 20.
With the importance of drafting developing goaltenders at an all-time high in the NHL, the Leafs continue to throw darts at the dart board in the middle and later rounds of the draft, hoping to find a young goaltender with legitimate NHL potential. With any luck and if Peksa can keep up his solid play with his current VHL club, in another two or three years, we could see him make his way over to North America to begin to adjust to the smaller ice before he eventually gets a shot (if all goes well) with the Leafs.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 18 | 181 ANSWERS Leafs goaltending prospect absolutely going off this year, giving hope for the future in net Will Vyacheslav Peksa eventually see some NHL games with the Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 125 | 69.1 % |
| No | 56 | 30.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
