Leafs Add Yet Another Exciting Goalie to the Organization

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Wade Messier
May 16, 2023 (8:56)

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If you're a goaltender in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, your job is never too secure. A club who's become somewhat famous in recent years for cycling goalies in and out, is certainly not a place where you'd feel safe in your job. It looks as though the Leafs have added yet another goalie, and this could be an interesting addition.

Leafs Sign Vyacheslav Peksa to a Three-Year Deal

If that name sounds unfamiliar, we don't blame you. Peksa was a 2021 6th round pick of the Leafs, and has spent his entire career playing in Russia. The Leafs official press release went more into detail on the subject.

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has signed goaltender Vyacheslav Peksa to a three-year, entry-level contract set to begin in the 2023-24 season. The average annual value of the contract is $851,660.

Peksa, 20, posted a 13-19-6 record through 40 games with Bars Kazan (VHL) during the 2022-23 campaign alongside a 2.34 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. The Magnitogorsk, Russia native also posted a 1-1-0 record through two games with Irbis Kazan (MHL) this season with a 3.10 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage while also posting a 0-2-0 record alongside a 2.21 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage in two playoff games with Irbis Kazan.

Peksa has appeared in 75 career regular season MHL games with Irbis Kazan and posted a 39-23-10 record with a 1.98 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage while also posting a 5-4-3 record through 14 career playoff games with Irbis Kazan alongside a 2.14 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage.

Peksa was originally drafted by Toronto in the sixth round (185th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft. - Toronto Maple Leafs

With stats like that, it's no wonder the Leafs were willing to give Peksa a shot in North America! The young goaltender has been quite impressive throughout his last few years in the MHL and VHL. Perhaps he could soon replace one of Matt Murray or Joseph Woll in the NHL, and on a cheap contract at that!

Fans have started to wonder if this could be the last deal ever signed by Kyle Dubas, as his own contract extension looms large over Toronto.

As Seen on Hockey Feed - Leafs add 20 year old Russian goalie Peksa today