Leafs goalie prospect demoted in Europe, loaned to minor league team; here's what it means for the 21-year-old

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Mike Armenti
August 31, 2023 (10:35)

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Maple Leafs goaltending prospect Artur Akhtyamov was officially loaned to the VHL's Neftyanik Almetievsk on Wednesday, largely due to his KHL club, Ak Bars Kazan, having a bit of a logjam in net. Akhtyamov experienced tremendous success with Neftyanik Almetievsk last season, so while there is some disappointment that he won't begin the season in the KHL, the move should not be viewed as a total loss. The VHL is like what the AHL is to the NHL, the KHL's minor league, essentially.

In 39 games with Neftyanik Almetievsk last season, Akhtyamov racked up a 20-12-6 record with a 1.74 GAA and a .943 SV%. Many in the Maple Leafs fanbase hoped that this would mean a promotion to the KHL for this upcoming season or a permanent trip over to North America to become acclimated with the smaller ice and faster game.

The primary hope here, from Toronto's perspective, is that the 21-year-old can replicate his performance from 2022-23 and put up similar numbers. Since he's only on loan to Neftyanik, Akhtyamov can be recalled by his KHL club at any point this season and is likely Ak Bars Kazan's 3rd string goalie, just behind Timur Bilyalov and Amir Miftakhov.

It's truly tough to know what the Leafs have in Akhtyamov right now. Goalies do take awhile to develop, an the Russian netminder is still only 21. There's plenty of time for him to still gain some valuable experience in the KHL or even to make the jump over to North America next summer if the Leafs feel like his development will be better with the AHL's Toronto Marlies.

Akhtyamov was originally drafted by the Leafs in the 4th round (106th overall) of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.