The Toronto Maple Leafs have secured goalie Artur Akhtyamov with a three-year extension, boasting an average annual value of $900,000. This deal, announced on Sunday, transitions from a two-way contract in the first season to a one-way contract for the final two seasons. Akhtyamov was approaching restricted free agency and arbitration eligibility as his entry-level contract, signed back in 2023, neared its end.
Since arriving in North America from AK Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League in 2024, Akhtyamov has shown significant growth. He's become the go-to starter for the Toronto Marlies, leading the team with 32 starts and ranking among the AHL's leaders with 18 wins. His current stats stand at 18-10-4, with a .904 save percentage, a 2.86 GAA, and one shutout.
Akhtyamov's impressive performance earned him a spot in the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic, where he started all three games for the North Division. He's also been called up by the Leafs multiple times due to injuries, making his NHL debut on December 13. During that game against the Edmonton Oilers, he relieved Dennis Hildeby and stopped all five shots he faced.
Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll praised Akhtyamov, saying, “He’s a good goalie, man, you watch him out there. The Russians are feeding their guys something different. He’s been great, super laid-back guy, always smiling.”
Drafted in the fourth round in 2020, Akhtyamov is regarded as one of the Leafs' top goaltending prospects, ranking fifth in TLN’s Leafs Prospect Rankings last summer. His debut against the Oilers marked him as the first from the Leafs’ 2020 draft class to play in an NHL game.
With Akhtyamov secured, the Leafs have a solid goaltending lineup, including Hildeby, Woll, and Anthony Stolarz, for the next two seasons.
Marlies captain Logan Shaw added, “Whether he has a good game or bad game, he’s pretty even-keel all the time and, in practice, it’s the same thing. He’s good at controlling his emotions.
He’s a good pro. Every day, he’s consistent.
He does the same thing. But the biggest thing for me is that he’s a great person.”