Artur Akhtyamov's Outstanding Start: Is He the Toronto Maple Leafs' Next Star Goaltender?
Once a weakness but now a big strength, the Leafs have a deep pool of goalies and now Artur Ahktyamov is emerging to be a potential game-changer for the team.
Over the past several seasons, the Maple Leafs' goaltending has been very temperamental and while sometimes they reach a hot streak at points, it's often negated by a string of rough starts. It's been a long time since the Maple Leafs had any consistency in net, often dealing with injuries, inexperience, or taking a chance on free agents that turn out to be duds. So coming into this season it's a breath of fresh air for Toronto as not only do they have four NHL-ready goaltenders in Joseph Woll, Anthony Stolarz, Dennis Hildeby, and Matt Murray but they also have another young prospect waiting to make his mark, and he's off to a blazing start.
Artur Ahktyamov, Toronto's 22-year-old netminder has been nothing short of spectacular since he arrived, and so far this season has been lights out. On Sunday he recorded his first career AHL shutout, a massive accomplishment for only having a handful of games.
It's incredible to see how a relative unknown in the Maple Leafs system has come out of the woodwork to impress so strongly and at such a fast pace. He's a huge reason why the Marlies have gotten off to a 5-0-0 start, and the more he gets exposure the more he's going to get better, smarter, and more comfortable. People are taking notice too, as head coach John Gruden had high praise for the young goaltender, admiring his maturity and ability to keep composed.
Toronto's farm system has gotten off to an incredible start so far this season led by Logan Shaw, Alex Nylander, and Ahktyamov among others. It's been a full team effort for the Marlies as 15 separate players have recorded at least a point in this young season. Ahktyamov's stats so far this year are fantastic, as he's 3-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA and .964 SV%, doing an admirable job splitting time with Matt Murray.
Speaking of...
Matt Murray's Journey Comes To An End
Matt Murray should go down in NHL history as one of the most underrated, and celebrated goaltenders of the 2010's. Winning back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Penguins which included a franchise record 225:49 minute shutout streak, Murray endeared himself to fans and teammates alike for his outstanding play. But with his contract as an RFA coming up, Pittsburgh traded Murray to Ottawa which started his descent from superstardom.
He looked lost and failed to regain the form he had in Pittsburgh before suffering various injuries and struggling in Ottawa. Vetoing a trade to Buffalo, Murray was sent to Ontario rival Toronto and settled into a role with the Maple Leafs. Unable to avoid injury, Murray barely played and though he signed an extension and got healthy, it may be closer to the end of the road than not.
Toronto employs Joseph Woll, Anthony Stolarz, Dennis Hildeby, the aforementioned Ahktyamov, as well as Vyacheslav Peksa waiting in the wings. Murray's skills are commendable, but in an ever-changing landscape of goaltending, the youth movement is in full swing. It's been a revolving door of goalies early in the year as Joseph Woll is injured, but upon his return, it's presumed Dennis Hildeby will head back to the Marlies to split time with Ahktyamov leaving no place for Murray to play. Murray, for his career, has a record of 146-86-24 with a 2.79 GAA and .910 SV%, is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion, and made the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2017.
It's a sad turn of events for the once-elite goaltender, as his incredible start was just as swiftly slowed to a halt.
