Toronto Maple Leafs Goalie Prospect Shines in Debut: Dennis Hildeby Has Competition
Maple Leafs prospect Artur Akhtyamov had an impressive AHL debut, adding some competition to the team's goaltending scene which has grown increasingly deep recently.
Over the past few seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs have not had a solidified goaltending situation, going from player to player without anyone sticking for a long time. They've had bright spots like Frederik Andersen and Ilya Samsonov however both came with their downsides and never lived up to the hype around them coming to help Toronto win.
For Maple Leafs fans it must be refreshing then to have such a talented pool of goaltenders in their system from top to bottom, and Artur Akhtyamov's debut just added a new wrinkle to their depth chart:
Since being drafted in the 4th-round by the Maple Leafs in 2020, Aktyamov has quietly improved his game in Russia playing in the KHL with Kazan Ak-Bars where he went 6-7-0 with a 2.51 GAA and .921 SV%, showing he can hang with the professionals in Russia's largest pro hockey league. Previous to that he played in the MHL/VHL, the second-largest pro hockey league in Russia, and had a stellar two seasons with Almetyevsk Neftyanik where he went 10-5-4 last season with a 2.00 GAA and a .927 SV% before moving to the KHL and was coming off a 20-12-6 record with an astounding 1.74 GAA and .943 SV% in 39 games.
With Joseph Woll currently on the injured reserve with no timeline as to when he is going to return, Anthony Stolarz and Marlies call-up Dennis Hildeby have been tasked to backstop the Maple Leafs during the beginning of the season. Hildeby was a surprise call up given Toronto has Matt Murray as well, but impressed in his debut against the New Jersey Devils, securing the first of many victories in his young career. But what happens when Woll returns?
Toronto recently paid Woll to be their #1 for the future although his injury history may have put that spot at risk, but Woll won't just be demoted and would presumably backup Anthony Stolarz if Toronto is riding a wave of momentum. Hildeby will have no spot as Toronto won't rotate with three goalies, so he will head back to the Marlies. So if Ahktyamov is cruising, and Woll is healthy, where does Hildeby go?
Knowing he's gotten some interest from other teams in the league, Toronto could take a look at trading Hildeby for a large pool of prospects and picks; although the last time they traded a potential star goaltender he turned into a Hall of Famer so they may avoid that route again. He should head back to lead the Marlies alongside Akhtyamov, letting Matt Murray use his veteran leadership to help the young goaltenders along and give him some reps if either men start to struggle.
Currently, the competition is fierce within the Maple Leafs goaltending depth chart, it's something Toronto hasn't had for nearly two decades and fans can be excited about what the future holds.
With several potential elite talents doing their best to impress management and earn their chance to prove they can be the one, Toronto has their pick of the litter when it comes to their next great goaltender.
