Toronto Maple Leafs make drastic goaltending decision as early struggles continue
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have called up goaltender Artur Akhtyamov, and the timing speaks volumes about their crease.
The 24-year-old arrived from the Marlies on Monday, just ahead of a back-to-back against the Sharks and Blue Jackets, while Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz continue to hunt for steadier results.
Why Toronto Wants Insurance in Net
Toronto brought in Bobrovsky on a three-year, $21 million contract this summer and counted on Stolarz to rediscover his best form.
Both goalies entered the year with questions, though. Bobrovsky finished last season with a career-worst .877 save percentage, and Stolarz sat at .893. Early results have not erased those doubts, and the Leafs cannot keep chasing games.
Akhtyamov offers a fresh option. The former fourth-round pick, selected 106th overall in 2020, just captured Calder Cup MVP honours after going 15-7-0 with a 2.22 goals-against average and .923 save percentage during the Marlies' title run.
General manager John Chayka even singled out that championship season when describing the team's three-goalie group earlier this month.
What to Watch Next?
His start this season has been more modest. He sits 2-1-0 with a 2.94 GAA and .882 save percentage in the AHL, and his only NHL action so far came last year, when he went 0-2-0 behind a team that was already out of the race. That context matters when judging his rough numbers at the top level.
The recall also carries a longer-term angle. Akhtyamov is reportedly not waiver-exempt next season, so Toronto may soon need to decide whether he belongs in its plans. A real look now, even in a backup role, would help answer that question.
For now, expect Akhtyamov to serve as the safety net while the Leafs navigate two games in two nights.
If Bobrovsky or Stolarz stumbles again, the pressure to hand the youngster a chance will grow quickly.
Toronto has little room for error this early, and a strong showing from Akhtyamov could shift the conversation about who deserves the net. Either way, this call-up puts the goaltending question front and center.
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