There has been no shortage of prospect storylines for Leafs fans to follow through the early part of the season. There has been the continued progression of Matthew Knies, 18-year-old Easton Cowan turned heads with an impressive showing in his first NHL training camp, and 2022 second-rounder Fraser Minten forced his way onto the opening night roster when nobody expected him to even be in consideration so early in his career.
Where was Minten on the #Leafs depth chart early in September? Treliving: "There was the ghost roster, Marlies, other. He was in other."
— Terry Koshan (@koshtorontosun) October 10, 2023
Those three have earned all the praise and notoriety they’ve received, but another Leafs prospect has had his spectacular start to the season fly under the radar a bit as he plies his trade away from the bright lights of Toronto.
Artur Akhtyamov established himself as one of the top young netminders in Russia a season ago, leading the VHL (Russia’s second-tier professional league) with a .943 SV% and finishing with a 20-12-6 record in 39 games played. In many cases, those numbers would be enough to earn a look in the KHL, but Kazan’s depth at the goaltending position meant that Akhtyamov was once again ticketed for the VHL to begin the 2023-24 campaign.
One player’s misfortune, however, is often another player’s opportunity, and it didn’t take long before injuries opened the door to the KHL for Akhtyamov. He was recalled to serve in a backup role just a handful of games into the season, but after two games wearing a ball cap on the bench, another injury thrust Akhtyamov into action, and he hasn’t looked back since.
The Leafs’ 2020 fourth-rounder picked up his first KHL win back on October 1st, stopping 30 of the 31 shots he faced. He gave up three goals on 26 shots in a 4-1 loss his next time out, but he has gone 5-0-0 since. Akhtyamov followed up a 46-save performance last Sunday with another milestone in the rematch against Admiral on Tuesday, stopping 35 shots to earn his first KHL shutout.
Here are some highlights from Akhtyamov's shutout win today.#LeafsForever https://t.co/DnPGCzJpE8 pic.twitter.com/S0qrDNFJrx
— More like Nikita GREATbyonkin (@brigstew86) October 10, 2023
With two more wins on Thursday and Saturday, Akhtyamov has brought his record to 6-3-0 to go along with a 2.10 GAA and a .937 SV% – good enough for the fourth-best save percentage in the KHL so far this season. Those numbers will be difficult to sustain over a larger sample size, and it’s hard to say what will happen when Kazan has everybody healthy, but there is no doubt that Akhtyamov has taken advantage of his opportunity and proven capable of succeeding against high-level competition.
Akhtyamov is technically playing on loan after signing his entry-level contract with the Leafs in the summer, but a crowded depth chart in Toronto looks like it might have been a blessing in disguise. While fellow goaltending prospects Dennis Hildeby and Vyacheslav Peksa appear slated to battle for playing time in the AHL and ECHL, respectively, Akhtyamov is already gaining valuable experience and excelling with consistent reps in what is considered by many to be the second-best hockey league in the world.
Second goal of the day for Nick Robertson brings him to five points in just two games. This guy is an NHL player if he can find a way to stay healthy.#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/Xm3py72ytb
— Nick Richard (@_NickRichard) October 15, 2023
#LeafsForever prospect Easton Cowan just refuses to be stopped. What a great individual effort to set up Barkey for ANOTHER short handed goal.pic.twitter.com/DC6zwseSSW
— More like Nikita GREATbyonkin (@brigstew86) October 14, 2023
Easton Cowan can fight pic.twitter.com/PpNsUmMyPX
— Adam (@TOSportsAdam) October 15, 2023
#LeafsForever prospect Nikita Grebyonkin capitalizes on a turnover and rips it top corner. He has 7 goals and 11 points in 18 games so far this year.pic.twitter.com/7FHC63yT1A
— More like Nikita GREATbyonkin (@brigstew86) October 15, 2023
Ryan Tverberg has his first goal off a deflection in front. #Marlies lead 3-1 over Utica. pic.twitter.com/WbrCLqBTl2
— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) October 15, 2023
Noah Chadwick (No. 8) scored a power-play goal and an assist in a 4-3 loss against the Moose Jaw Warriors last night.
Totals (WHL): 7 GP, 2 G, 7 PTS, +3#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/k3Xi7ROYI8
— Kyle Cushman (@Kyle_Cush) October 14, 2023
Statistics from EliteProspects.com & Evolving-Hockey.com
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!