Another cruel twist of fate for Nick Robertson has opened the window of opportunity for other forwards in the organization. With Robertson on the shelf for the next couple of months as he recovers from a shoulder injury, and with Calle Järnkrok still out of action with a groin injury, it is Joey Anderson who is getting the first chance to carve out a place for himself in the Leafs’ lineup.
Anderson has toiled with the Marlies for the last couple of years after being acquired from New Jersey in the trade that saw the Leafs dump Andreas Johnsson’s salary but has struggled to make an impact in limited NHL appearances. Last season, he led the Marlies with 26 goals in 56 games and finished fourth in team scoring with 42 points. So far this season, he has once again been a top triggerman for the Marlies, currently sitting in second place on the team with 11 goals in 21 games.
A quality finisher at the AHL level, Anderson will likely have to find other ways to impress the coaching staff at the NHL level, but he got off to a good start in that regard in his first appearance with the Leafs this season against the Calgary Flames on Saturday night. Skating on a line with Alex Kerfoot and David Kämpf for most of the game, Anderson led the Leafs with a 94.74 xGF% and drew a pair of penalties, including one late in the third period off of a great net drive.
Joey Anderson drives the net and draws the call pic.twitter.com/pYwQzKUcrb
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 11, 2022
Anderson’s shot and skill in tight around the net should translate to the NHL, but he isn’t likely to see as many scoring opportunities or offensive situations as he has in the AHL. Instead, it will be his intelligence and tenacity that will help him be an effective bottom-six player for the Leafs. He isn’t the most fleet of foot but, theoretically speaking, should continue to fit nicely with a couple of strong transition players like Kerfoot and Kämpf.
It has been a bit of a longer road for Anderson, now 24, but it appears the organization has recognized his hard work and potential value to the big club, and they are ready to give him a chance to run with the opportunity in front of him.
Keefe on Joey Anderson: “It’s time for us to give him a little runway to see what he can do”
— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) December 11, 2022
If Anderson is unable to grab hold of the job or if another injury occurs in the Leafs’ forward group, Alex Steeves should be near the front of the line as the next forward call-up. Steeves had an impressive first year of pro hockey in 2021-22, tallying 23 goals and 23 assists in 58 games with the Marlies, and has picked up where he left off.
Steeves scored a pair of goals and added an assist in Friday’s 5-2 victory over Syracuse and followed that up with another assist in Saturday’s shootout loss to Rochester. For the season, he is clipping along at a point-per-game pace with nine goals and 15 assists in 24 games thus far.
Logan Shaw goes hard on the forecheck and is able get the puck to Alex Steeves, who scores a very nice goal. His 8th of the season.#Marlies tie the game at one. pic.twitter.com/rOGXePYjID
— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) December 10, 2022
Steeves is similar to Anderson in a lot of ways but is more capable of creating his own looks, at least at the AHL level, and is more of a threat to score from the outside with his wicked release and heavy one-timer. Steeves is also a bit more mobile, due in large part to improvements he made over the offseason, which gives him a bit of an edge in puck pursuit and forechecking ability.
One of the biggest differences between the two is their age and level of experience. Anderson turned 24 just before the season began and is now in his fifth season of professional hockey, whereas Steeves turned 23 this past weekend and is about a third of the way through his second professional campaign. Both players have earned the right to fight for a bottom-six job with the Leafs, given the current injury situation, and Steeves shouldn’t have to wait long for his opportunity if he continues playing the way he has.
Aktyamov has been the best goaltender in the VHL this season, and he continued his stellar campaign this past week. He was beaten three times in the shootout during Friday’s loss but stopped 37 of the 38 shots he faced in regulation and overtime and followed that performance with a 36-save shutout – his fourth of the season – on Sunday.
#LeafsForever prospect Artur Akhtyamov with a 36 save shutout today. He's up to a .946 sv% with 4 shutouts in 23 games, tied for first in the league. In his last 9 games, his worst game was a .927 sv% — he is the platonic ideal of "dialed in" right now. pic.twitter.com/bmFrtBEeFe
— More like Nikita GREATbyonkin (@brigstew86) December 11, 2022
Akhtyamov has surrendered more than one goal just once in his last nine appearances and now has 1.60 GAA to go along with a league-leading .946 SV% through 24 games. He has done everything and more to earn a look at the KHL level, but Ak Bars’ goaltending has been solid enough to hold him off to this point.
It will be interesting to monitor Akhtyamov’s situation as the season continues to unfold. Ak Bars have struggled at times this season, and they are currently holding the second-last playoff spot in their conference. If the losses start to mount and their hold on a playoff spot begins to loosen, they could turn to Akhtyamov with the hope that his spectacular play in the VHL will carry over to the KHL. Akhtyamov has also expressed interest in crossing the pond, and his contract with Ak Bars expires at the end of this season, so they could also use KHL playing time as a negotiating tool if they are looking to keep him in their organization a bit longer.
However it plays out, Akhtyamov has checked off all the boxes at the VHL level this season, and he is looking more and more like a viable NHL prospect.
Gorgeous goal by Coyotes prospect Logan Cooley set up by Leafs prospect Matt Knies pic.twitter.com/4oGxlSVRNP
— Nick Richard (@_NickRichard) December 10, 2022
Fraser Minten scores the Teddy Bear goal only 10 minutes in pic.twitter.com/5w9xKAVHr9
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) December 11, 2022
Roni Hirvonen hautaa yläpeltiin. #HIFK #Liiga ️: @CMoreSportFi pic.twitter.com/ePhbwjnvjc
— Helsingin IFK (@HIFKHockey) December 9, 2022
#LeafsForever prospect Nikita Grebyonkin buries the OT winner for his fourth goal of the season. He is now tied for the scoring lead among 2022 draftees playing in the KHL. pic.twitter.com/lH4fBh4Jm5
— Nick Richard (@_NickRichard) December 7, 2022
#LeafsForever prospect Dennis Hildeby with a 23 save shutout yesterday, his first of the season. He has raised his save percentage to .927 in 8 SHL games, which is 3rd best among all goalies in the league. pic.twitter.com/Ok7fVT1cfF
— More like Nikita GREATbyonkin (@brigstew86) December 9, 2022
Lisowsky wastes NO time for his 12th of the season pic.twitter.com/3bCFQuJjW0
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) December 11, 2022
(Statistics from EliteProspects.com & Evolving-Hockey.com)
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