Leafs lose key depth as former goalie signs with Flyers
Tonight the Toronto Maple Leafs organization has learned they have lost depth to their goaltending position as one of their former goalies has signed with a new team.
The Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending situation has been a mess for the last several seasons. Tonight the Maple Leafs have now continued to have a shake up of the position heading into the 2024-25 season. According to a new post on X former Toronto Marlies goalie Keith Petruzzelli has signed an AHL deal with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Keith Petruzzelli spent the last 3 seasons with the Maple Leafs organization after first signing out of Quinnipiac University. He began his tenure with the Maple Leafs playing primarily in the ECHL with the Newfoundland Growlers.
After a full season there he played 25 games in the AHL in 2022-23 posting a 2.90 goals against average and a 0.909 save percentage. Last season he was the backup for the Marlies and regressed down to a 3.55 goals-against average and a 0.867 save percentage.
With Keith Petruzelli on his way to a new team, this means the Marlies will have to look elsewhere for goaltending in the AHL. Luckily a trio of prospects should be able to fill the void.
Maple Leafs already prepared to replace Keith Petruzzelli
Over the last several seasons the Toronto Maple Leafs have been investing in the goaltending position through the draft. After several seasons of growth outside of North America a trio of goalies is ready to step up to the task.
The first is Russian goalie Artur Ahktyamov who played primarily in the KHL last season. In 17 KHL games, Artur Ahktyamov had a 2.51 goals against average and a 0.921 save percentage. At just 22 years old he holds a lot of promise and could be the future of the Maple Leafs between the pipes.
Next up is last year's AHL starter for the Toronto Marlies Dennis Hildeby. The 6'7 behemoth prospect played his first full season in North America in 2023-24. In his 41 appearances, Dennis Hildeby maintained very similar numbers to Artur Ahktyamov with a 2.41 goals against average and a 0.913 save percentage. He likely comes into the season as the Marlies starter and could see some NHL action if there ends up being a need from the Maple Leafs.
Finally, we get to the youngest of the bunch Vyacheslav Peska who is 21 years old. He came over to North America in 2023-24 as well playing 19 games in the ECHL with the Newfoundland Growlers. He likely has the longest development path of these three players. Expect Vyacheslav Peska to mostly play in the ECHL but get the occasional call-up for an appearance with the Marlies.
Despite losing out on Keith Petruzzelli the Marlies seem to be in a fantastic spot as far as talent. It will be interesting to see if the lack of a veteran goalie with the team has an impact on any of these promising players development.
Source: Maple Leafs Daily
Former Maple Leafs goalie lands a deal with Flyers organization
Source: HockeyDB
Keith Petruzzeli Stats
Source: HockeyDB
Dennis Hildeby Stats
Source: HockeyDB
Vyacheslav Peska Stats
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Do you think the Toronto Maple Leafs will regret letting Keith Petruzzelli leave? | ||
| Yes | 111 | 28.8 % |
| No | 275 | 71.2 % |
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