Leafs G prospect Artur Akhtyamov steals championship with amazing play
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a fantastic goaltending prospect waiting in the wings in Artur Akhtyamov. The 22-year-old just backstopped his club to a championship in the VHL, which is the second highest level in the Russian hockey circuit.
Drafted in the 4th round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Akhtyamov has been nothing short of sensational as he has traversed through the Russian circuit with relative ease. This season alone, he played in 17 games in the KHL for Ak Bars Kazan and held a 2.51 G.A.A. and a .921 SV% to go along with his 6-7-0 record.
However he also spent some time in the VHL - the 2nd highest level in Russia - with Neftyanik Almetievsk where he appeared in 19 regular season games and posted a 10-5-4 record with a 2.00 G.A.A. and a .927 SV%. In the playoffs, he went 16-5 with a 2.17 G.A.A. and a .932 SV% en route to the championship. Neftyanik Almetievsk swept AKM Tula Region after a 3-2 overtime victory in Game 4, where Akhtyamov made 41 saves in the decisive game.
Akhtyamov has held fantastic numbers all throughout his young career as he posted a 20-12-6 record with a 1.74 G.A.A. and a .943 SV% in 2022-23 for Neftyanik Almetievsk and although they were defeated in the first round, he posted a .952 SV% and a 1.53 G.A.A. in 6 games. The year before that he spent most of his time with Bars Kazan in the VHL where he posted a 2.69 G.A.A. and a .912 SV% in 38 games, while also playing 1 game in the KHL and another 3 games in the MHL.
After being sent out on a loan this season, there's a chance that the 22-year-old may make the leap to professional hockey in North America next year for the Toronto Marlies. There is also a chance that he could very well join them on their current playoff run if they advance past the Belleville Senators according to Kyle Cushman.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 25 | 298 ANSWERS Leafs G prospect Artur Akhtyamov steals championship with amazing play When do you think Akhtyamov can contend for a roster spot in the NHL? | ||
| 2024-25 | 78 | 26.2 % |
| 2025-26 | 135 | 45.3 % |
| 2026-27 | 38 | 12.8 % |
| They'll probably trade him before that | 47 | 15.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
