Leafs goaltending prospect exceeding all early expectations, putting up ridiculous numbers
The Leafs may have found a long-term solution between the pipes when they selected Vyacheslav Peksa in the 6th round of the 2021 draft. Since being drafted by the Leafs, Peksa dominated the MHL (major junior equivalent) last season putting up a 1.79 GAA and .936 save percentage in 56 games. This season, through 3 games in the VHL (AHL equivalent), Peksa has not yet lost in regulation, posting a 1-0-2 record with a 1.42GAA and a .956 save percentage.
While the sample size in the VHL thus far is small, Peksa has been lights out as the starter for Bars Kazan. In yesterday's game, he entered in relief at the start of the second period and stopped all 23 shots he faced through OT, but it wasn't enough, as Bars Kazan fell 4-3 in a shootout.
Since turning pro in the 2019-2020 season, Peksa has posted a combined save percentage of .934 and a GAA of 1.90 across 76 games in the MHL and VHL. Dobber Prospects lists Peksa as a bit of a long-term project, but he has shown great upside so far in his career. Should his numbers continue to impress and depending on the Leafs' goaltending situation, he could find himself working with the Leafs' revamped goalie department at the end of the VHL season (even just for a few weeks before heading home to continue on with his development). Obviously he has a long way to go, and I'm not trying to get the hopes of Leaf fans up, but it has been a while since the Leafs have had a legitimate home-grown goaltending prospect as exciting as Peksa has been.
