Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
With Joseph Woll suffering an injury, the Toronto Maple Leafs are likely going to have to call up a goaltender from the Toronto Marlies to pair with Dennis Hildeby.
In the interim, Dennis Hildeby is going to be the starting goalie as Anthony Stolarz is currently dealing with an injury. It is a bad situation for the Leafs to find themselves in, but these things happen.
With Woll and Stolarz out of the lineup, the Leafs will need another goaltender to pair with Dennis Hildeby. This means the Leafs will have to go to the Toronto Marlies, and make an unexpected call-up.
Based on experience and who’s available, that goaltender would just so happen to be none other than Artur Akhtyamov.
Artur Akhtyamov was selected 106th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He is currently 24 years old, and stands at 6’2 and 176 pounds.
The Kazan, Russia native has played games in the KHL with Kazan Ak-Bars. He also played in various Russian junior and development leagues prior to joining the Toronto Marlies.
He made his debut with the Toronto Marlies last season and has been developing his game at a steady pace. However, his NHL readiness is questionable.
Artur Akhtyamov’s stats with the Toronto Marlies
Last season, Akhtyamov had a record of 11-8-4, a goals-against average of 2.81, and a save percentage of .901, with three shutouts.
This season, the goaltender has a record of 7-5 with a goals-against average of 3.04 and a save percentage of .896.
Bringing Akhtyamov up to the Leafs is going to be quite the decision. At this stage, it remains to be seen whether or not he would even get any games.
After all, Woll’s injury prognosis is still very much up in the air.
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Who is Artur Akhtyamov? The goaltender in line to replace Joseph Woll
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