Artur Akhtyamov has carried the Marlies to the Calder Cup Final and his message to the team shows that he knows exactly what his mindset needs to be to win.
The Marlies are headed to the Calder Cup Final on the back of not only some clutch offensive performances, but also the play of Artur Akhtyamov. His .927 SV% has proven that he can handle pressure and his highlight reel has shown glimpses of a modern Dominik Hasek, with his comments ahead of Game 1 showing that he's completely locked in.
Akhtyamov has posted an astounding stat line throughout the postseason after taking the reins from Dennis Hildeby. He holds an 11-6-0 record with that aforementioned .927 SV% to go along with a 2.12 GAA. He's only given up 36 goals with his most recent performance a stunning 39-save performance to send Toronto to the Final.
Akhtyamov knows what he needs to do, and winning a VHL Championship gives him the confidence to succeed
He's also got a ton of confidence heading into Game 1 of the Calder Cup Final and the mentality and swagger he's showing is a great sign going forward. TSN's Mark Masters spoke to several Marlies ahead of Friday's first game, and had a word with Akhtyamov. But the goalie kept things short and sweet when asked about his game plan:
It means a lot, only two teams stay here, so is big for us and me too. We go to Finals, so you know we play, how I play [is good].
Was pretty good year for experience, I play in NHL for a couple games, good to learn for me. I wasn't very good there and need to work more. I have that [championship winning] experience from Russia, and I know what I need to do.
It's actually remarkable to not only see how confident Akhtyamov is in his game and yet is humble and accountable enough to admit he wasn't great at times and needs to work harder to be an NHL starter.
The championship experience he is referring to is when he was back in Russia and won a VHL Championship when he was on loan from Ak Bars Kazan (KHL) and played with Neftyanik Almetievsk in 2023-24.
Akhtyamov posted a 16-5-0 record with a 2.15 GAA and .932 SV% that season so it's clear that when the pressure is on, he steps up his game.
Ben Danford has never seen a goalie like Akhtyamov and every save raises the stakes in Toronto's crease
But it's Ahktyamov's teammates who are absolutely blown away by the Russian goaltender, as Ben Danford straight up called him crazy and said he's never seen anything like the net minder before; but that's only the start of why he's so good:
Artie's crazy. I've never seen a goalie like him. For him to play like this in the playoffs it's the biggest difference maker, you have a hot goalie, you can go all the way. Props to him, we wouldn't be here without him, and just an unreal human being, humble and wants the best for the team.
Danford himself has a lot of pressure to succeed given his moniker as Toronto's top defensive prospect and he's done a fairly good job himself, but clearly he knows that Ahktyamov has a lot to do with that success too.
Alex Nylander, the hero in Game 6 who sent Toronto to the Calder Cup Final also had high praise for the goalie and explained how that confidence has translated to the rest of the team:
He's been unbelievable, so good, it's really fun to see, his confidence has been a huge help, having him in net gives us more confidence.
It seems like Ahktyamov has not only earned the respect and admiration of his teammates, but gives the Maple Leafs a lot to think about. If he leads them to a title, there's no doubt he should be included in the future plans, which means they need to trade a goalie.
If Akhtyamov proves he's a championship-calibre goalie who handles pressure with ease, that's the exact type of goalie that wins you a Stanley Cup and you can only have so many NHL starters so it could be goodbye to Anthony Stolarz, Joseph Woll or Dennis Hildeby.
It's not just fantasy either, as Elliotte Friedman reported the organization sees a real future in Akhtyamov and they could look to explore a way to open up a spot.
Artur Ahktyamov is someone special who went from a relative unknown to a guy who could be seen as the next Russian star goalie and he's got the experience and confidence needed to lead the Marlies all the way to glory.
Do you think Artur Ahktyamov is going to be a starter for the Maple Leafs in 2026-27?
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