Last season saw a standout performance from Artur Akhtyamov. While the addition of Sergei Bobrovsky certainly helped to reorganize the Leafs goaltending depth, Akhtyamov was also fundamental in the decisions that were made. Let’s take a closer look at Akhtyamov and how he could impact the Leafs this coming season.
Long time coming
Although last season was punctuated with a dominant AHL playoff run, Akhtyamov has been a highly regarded prospect for some time. In fact, many fans were keen to observe his excellent work prior.
For years, it seemed that the Leafs had two prospects, Akhtyamov and Dennis Hildeby, who were in lockstep. Both were dominant in their home countries before coming to join the Toronto Marlies. Hildeby came over a year earlier, earning him more trust off the bat. Hildeby held serve, and ultimately performed well when called up to the Leafs.
Meanwhile, Akhtyamov took advantage of his opportunity. After Hildeby was called up to the Leafs last season, Akhtyamov took over the Marlies starting job. Building off of his prior experience and trust as a Marlie, Akhtyamov took off and did not relinquish the starting role. Though he appeared briefly in the NHL as the Leafs season came to a merciful end, he officially announced his arrival by carrying the Marlies to a Calder Cup victory.
Picking sides
After the Leafs front office shuffle, there were a lot of decisions to be made. The situation in net was an area of depth, though it lacked definition. With two capable but injury-prone tandem options in Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz, and two prospects coming of age in Akhtyamov and Hildeby, there was a good deal of talent and redundancy.
Sorting out the mess took some evaluation, talent, opportunity, trade value, and contract situation. Woll was likely shipped off instead of Stolarz because of his trade value. Sergei Bobrovsky brings a different flavour as a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, though some doubt remains about how much is left in the tank.
The decision between Akhtyamov and Hildeby can be viewed through a couple of lenses. Hildeby might have appeared to have the stronger NHL performances, and his size makes his success quite projectable. That said, his more extensive experience cost him his waiver-exempt status. Without a true number one goalie, at least at the time, or a guaranteed roster spot, Hildeby might well have been lost on waivers for nothing.
The other angle has to do with Akhtyamov’s upside. Although Hildeby is bigger, Akhtyamov seems to play with more aggression and skill. Although Hildeby did not lose his job, Akhtyamov did enough to take it. Both are still promising young options, but the Leafs were decisive.
Fit
Given the injury history of Stolarz, having a reliable and waiver-exempt third option is huge for the Leafs. Banking on a truly vintage season from Bobrovsky seems a bit optimistic as well. The fact that Akhtyamov remains waiver-exempt makes him the ideal third-string goalie, able to pass through waivers, and ready to be called up in any injury situation. The added bonus seems to be that Bobrovsky might make a great mentor for Akhtyamov.
When Stolarz and Bobrovsky shared the net with the Florida Panthers in 2023–24, the split was fairly skewed. Stolarz played 27 games to Bobrovsky’s 58 games. As much as we should expect the split to be more even, given Stolarz’s injury history, such a projection would be bold. Stolarz has only eclipsed 30 NHL games in a season once in his career. Although more factors are involved, expecting more than 30 games for Stolarz is a lot.
All things said, although Akhtyamov will likely start the season in the AHL, fans should expect to see him in some games for the Leafs this season. If ever one of the Leafs goalies is injured, Akhtyamov should have enough trust to be able to spell the situation with a regular workload. The Leafs should be cautious about overworking either Bobrovsky or Stolarz, and Akhtyamov has proven himself ready for the opportunity.
If Akhtyamov can start 10 games this season, it should help the Leafs keep Bobrovsky under 50 games and Stolarz under 30. These 10 games might represent 20 points in the standings, which could make a huge difference, but also represent peace of mind. The Leafs were hesitant to trust their young goalies last season, scrambling to add Cayden Primeau off of waivers, and ultimately working both Woll and Stolarz too much in a condensed schedule.
Upside
It is difficult to project the best-case scenario for Akhtymov’s development. He has shown enough to warrant a shot in the NHL, has played a starter’s workload, and has performed well in the playoffs at multiple levels.
Around him are some interesting comparisons. Becoming a capable tandem option, like Stolarz at his healthiest, would be a good thing. There is upside for even more, though it might be too much to expect him to become a true starter or Vezina Trophy winner like Bobrovsky. It might also be dangerous to compare his career against Hildeby’s, as the Leafs have made their decision.
Over the next two seasons, a pivotal timeframe aligning with Auston Matthews’ current contract, Akhtyamov is positioned to help the Leafs. The precarious nature of a Bobrovsky and Stolarz tandem ahead of him gives him the chance to fight for a bigger role in that time frame. There is no sense hurrying things along one way or another, but Akhtyamov will have the chance to assert himself with a high level of play.
