One Leafs goalie prospect likely coming to North America, another likely to leave the organization this summer
Artur Akhtyamov was drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 draft by the Kyle Dubas and the Leafs and was deemed to be a "long-term project" by many scouts. However, Akhtyamov had a phenomenal season with Neftyanik Aletievsk of the VHL (the AHL of the KHL) and now appears set to head over to North America to join the Toronto Marlies after posting a "thank you" message to social media.
Akhtyamov went 20-12-6 for Aletievsk in the regular season while posting 6 shutouts, a 1.74 GAA and ridiculous .943 save percentage. In the playoffs, and although his team was eliminated in the first round he managed to best his regular season numbers by posting a 1.53 GAA and .952 save percentage to go along with 2 shutouts. The 6'1, 170 pound, 21-year-old was also named goaltender of the month in November and December and posted the best save percentage in the regular season in the VHL.
The seemingly likely move to North America and the Marlies leaves current Marlies goalie Erik Kallgren on the outside looking in as he is an RFA at the end of this season with Joseph Woll locked up for another 2 seasons. With that being said, the Leafs could still bring back Kallgren and have Kallgren, Keith Petruzzelli and Akhtyamov as the Marlies' trio with Woll being the third goalie for the Leafs - though a team carrying 3 goalies on the active NHL roster is not something that happens often.
For a team that was criticized for not having much depth in their system at goal, the Leafs have suddenly found themselves with more than enough depth in prospects as they also have Slava Peksa who will ideally play in the KHL next season along with Dennis Hildeby (SHL), Dryden McKay and Luke Cavallin (ECHL). It's never a bad problem to have too many goalies and the Leafs finally appear to have that problem.
