The 2020 fourth-round pick of the Leafs has spent the last four seasons bouncing between the KHL, VHL and MHL in AK Bars' system, but appears to be ready to join the Leafs organization. At 6'1 and 168 pounds, the 22-year-old can certainly add some size to his frame, but the lack of it has yet to affect his play.
Akhtyamov signed his 3-year entry-level contract with the Leafs last off-season, but was loaned to the KHL this past season. Dobber Prospects reporter Curtis Rines provided the following observation about him in March of this year.
Based on the notes from Rines, it appears that there is no opportunity for Akhtyamov full-time in the KHL, or at least not right now, and it appears as though the Leafs organization is not taking any chances with his development.
Akhtyamov joins the likes of Dennis Hildeby and Vyacheslav Peksa in North America and now gives the Leafs three very intriguing goaltending prospects along with RFA Keith Petruzzelli. After not having much goaltending depth in the system for years, the Leafs now have a handful of potential long-term options available to them to develop.
