The Toronto Maple Leafs are staring at a goaltending decision that could get messy fast, and Artur Akhtyamov is right at the center of it.
Akhtyamov has been developing in the AHL, and there’s clearly belief around him that he could grow into a starter down the line. But the problem is simple: the Leafs may not be able to keep him in the system much longer without putting him in danger of being lost for nothing.
According to hockey writer Chris McCluskey, Akhtyamov will not be waiver-protected next season. If Toronto rolls with the same goaltending setup again - Anthony Stolarz and Sergei Bobrovsky - then Akhtyamov would have to go through waivers.
That’s where the risk comes in. A young goalie with that kind of upside would almost certainly draw plenty of interest if he hit the wire, and Toronto could lose him without getting anything back.
McCluskey’s view is that the Leafs need to get Akhtyamov NHL starts this season so they can find out whether he’s ready for the league and worth holding onto. If he doesn’t get that chance, then moving him before next season would make more sense.
There’s also a bigger decision looming for next year. Toronto will have to choose whether to keep Stolarz with Bobrovsky or pivot to Akhtyamov instead.
No matter which way they go, a trade feels likely, and Stolarz would have value around the league. At the same time, an Akhtyamov trade could also bring real value back to the Leafs.
That’s why the starts matter so much. Even if the only path to them comes because of an injury to Toronto’s tandem, the Leafs need some kind of answer on Akhtyamov this season.
The next 12 months should be telling. For now, the question is whether Akhtyamov becomes part of Toronto’s future or turns into a situation they have to solve quickly.
In Other News...
Maple Leafs Suddenly Face A Blue Line Problem Without Chris Tanev
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Marshall Rifai was recalled from the Marlies to give the Maple Leafs another option on the back end, while Nick Blankenburg has been asked to take on a bigger role in Tanevs absence. For a team that values stability on defense, the mix-and-match look is not ideal, and it leaves Toronto waiting to see how quickly it can settle its pairings once Tanev is available again. [Read more 🡒]
Auston Matthews May Be Unlocking Something New Under Jim Hiller
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The explanation may not be simple, and it probably is not just about Matthews suddenly seeing the ice differently. Coaching style, ice time, linemates and power-play usage all come into the conversation here, because those are the details that can either feed a scorer or starve him of chances. The Leafs are still early in this evaluation, but if Hiller is opening up new offensive lanes for Matthews, it is the sort of adjustment that could matter well beyond a six-game snapshot. [Read more 🡒]
William Nylander Is Driving Why The Maple Leafs Look Dangerous Again
William Nylander keeps giving the Maple Leafs the kind of offensive push that changes the feel of a game before it even settles in. In Torontos 6-3 win over Colorado, he was central to everything, helping fuel a stretch that has the Leafs looking far more dangerous early in the season and making life easier for teammates who have been able to build off that momentum.
The scoring burst also fit neatly into the bigger arc of Nylanders career in Toronto, where his production has become the kind of steady force this team can lean on. With the way he is driving play right now, the Leafs are getting both immediate results and a reminder that their top-end skill can tilt a night quickly when he is rolling. [Read more 🡒]