Promising Leafs prospect officially headed back home to Europe for next season
After some speculation earlier this month, promising young Leafs goaltending prospect Artur Akhtyamov has been loaned back to Ak Bars Kazan according to CapFriendly.
The 21-year-old goaltender was drafted in the 4th round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and has been lights out in the Russian circuits. In his draft year in 2019-20, Akhtyamov went 26-13-6 with a 1.80 G.A.A and a .931 SV with 7 shutouts in 46 games for Irbis Kazan of the MHL - the Junior Hockey League in Russia.
The following season, Akhtyamov split time in the KHL, VHL, and MHL. In 14 games in the VHL - Supreme Hockey League - he sported a 5-4-4 record with a 1.90 G.A.A. and a .927 SV% for Bars Kazan. In 9 games with Irbis Kazan of the MHL, he sported a 5-4-0 record with a 1.66 G.A.A. and a .935 SV% and appeared in 3 KHL games with a 2.90 G.A.A and a .904 SV%.
In 2021-22 he spent the majority of his time in the VHL with Bars Kazan going 9-17-9 but with a .912 SV% and a 2.69 G.A.A. Playing for Neftyanik Almetievsk of the VHL this season, he was spectacular to say the least, going 20-12-6 with a 1.74 G.A.A and a.943 SV%, while finishing 2-4 in the playoffs sporting a 1.53 G.A.A and a .952 SV%.
He is expected to spend the season in the KHL this year and will be battling fellow goaltenders in Timur Bilyalov and Amir Miftakhkov for time in the crease - both of whom had strong seasons last year. Bilyalov had a 2.16 G.A.A and a .923 SV%, while Miftakhov had a 2.20 G.A.A and a .917 SV%.
Akhtyamov signed his 3-year ELC with the Leafs on July 1st.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 24 | 195 ANSWERS Promising Leafs prospect officially headed back home to Europe for next season Who do you think the Leafs' top goaltending prospect is outside of the NHL? | ||
| Artur Akhtyamov | 69 | 35.4 % |
| Vyacheslav Peksa | 29 | 14.9 % |
| Dennis Hildeby | 67 | 34.4 % |
| Other | 30 | 15.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
