As we count down to the start of Maple Leafs rookie camp next month, THN Toronto looks at the organization's top 10 prospects in their system.
Artur Akhtyamov is gearing up for his first taste of professional hockey in North America in October following a winning season with the VHL's Neftyanik Almetievsk.
From Aug. 12 to Aug. 23, I will highlight the top 10 prospects within the Maple Leafs organization. The rankings will be based on:
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- Highest ceiling at the NHL level, under 23 years old
- Past season of play on their perspective team
- Closest to seeing an NHL game with the Maple Leafs
Artur Akhtyamov (Toronto, AHL) 22, G, 6-foot-1, 168 lbs
There were many questions — as there usually are with goaltenders drafted — when the Maple Leafs selected Akhtyamov in the fourth round (106th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft.
However, as time passes, this seems increasingly more like a pick Toronto should be proud of.
The 22-year-old goaltender had arguably his best season this past year, playing in both the KHL — for Ak Barz Kazan — and VHL (KHL's AHL). His numbers made it clear that if he were to jump into the Maple Leafs organization, now would be the time.
Akhtyamov appeared in 19 games for VHL Neftyanik, coming out with a 10-5-4 record and an impressive .927 save percentage. And throughout that remarkable season, the netminder played 17 games in the KHL, from October to mid-November, and had a .921 save percentage.
Although Akhtyamov is on the smaller side of goaltenders in this day and age, he remains an important, and fascinating, player on the rise in the Maple Leafs organization for many reasons.
His boldness in the net is one trait that stands out almost immediately. Akhtyamov isn't afraid to step out of his comfort zone, whether to make a save or to let his opponent know that he doesn't like something.
In what was likely the biggest game of his young career — in the VHL Finals against AKM Novomoskovsk this past season — Akhtyamov wasn't interested in letting his opponents get away with anything in front of the net.
The Russian goaltender ended up helping Neftyanik win the game and become VHL champions, sweeping AKM in the series. Akhtyamov finished his playoffs with a .932 save percentage in 21 games and was given the VHL's MVP award after putting up stellar postseason numbers.
Playing with this kind of swagger isn't something you see often in goaltenders anymore. Former Maple Leafs prospect Erik Kallgren showed a similar flair at times while with the Marlies, which from my point of view, made him more confident.
Akhtyamov's boldness also comes out when he needs to make important saves. In several games, the goaltender can be seen, either flying out of the net to make a diving poke check or making a subtle one in his crease, such as this one at Maple Leafs development camp in July.
Although on the smaller side, Akhtyamov makes up for it in his positioning and movement. The Russian goaltender is almost always in the right area to make a save, but even when he isn't, he can get over quickly, either with his quick movement or athleticism.
Akhtyamov signed a three-year entry-level contract with Toronto on July 1, 2023, and, according to Postmedia's Terry Koshan, will come to Toronto to continue his career, likely suiting up in the AHL with the Marlies next season.
It'll be challenging to judge Akhtyamov's debut season in North America, given this will likely be the first time he's been away from Russia for an extended period. Vyacheslav Peksa, another Maple Leafs goaltending prospect, made his way over to Canada ahead of this past season — playing with the now-collapsed Newfoundland Growlers in the ECHL — and struggled in the crease.
Under all the circumstances, whether it's English not being Akhtyamov's first language, or how different the way of life is in Canada versus Russia, it's safe to say it will be a demanding year for the goaltender.
However, with Peksa in the organization — and with both goaltenders being jokers off the ice — there'll be some familiarity, which will help the up-and-coming netminder.
"They cease to amaze us with their entertainment. We had a few of them out golfing the other day. They managed to find the golf cart on the green and had a lot of fun out there golfing in unfamiliar territory for them," Maple Leafs GM Hayley Wickenheiser said at development camp in July.
"Despite the language barrier, they're great kids. They have to overcome a lot to come here and I know it's a tough situation, but we enjoy working with them. Peksa, Akhtyamov, and just getting them over here and acclimatizing, it's entertaining."
With Peksa and Akhtyamov both in the picture for the Maple Leafs, plus the likes of Dennis Hildeby and potentially Matt Murray, it'll be a packed crease with AHL Toronto next season.
