Artur Akhtyamov just posted a .923 playoff save percentage. Now Toronto is pairing him with a goalie Barkov says outworked teammates a decade younger.
Akhtyamov went 15-7 with a 2.22 GAA and .923 save percentage while winning Calder Cup playoff MVP. Bobrovsky arrives on a three-year, $21-million deal at age 37, giving Toronto an unusual overlap: its best young goalie prospect developing behind one of the NHL's most accomplished veterans.
Barkov spent seven seasons with Bobrovsky and the two had some incredible success together, with two Stanley Cups and both cementing themselves as part of a Florida Panthers franchise that turned from pretender to contender almost overnight.
But now Bobrovsky is with Florida's Atlantic rivals in Toronto, though that hasn't stopped Barkov from praising his former goaltender. Speaking with Daily Faceoff's Matt Larkin during the NHL Player Media Tour in Las Vegas, Barkov had nothing but good things to say about the veteran netminder:
The way he was here for seven seasons, it was just incredible. We're going to miss him a lot as a person, as a goalie and a person. He was a great person, really that type of guy you look up to every single day with what he does.
Me personally, I learned so much from him just watching him, just looking at him, just seeing what he does day to day and how he tries to get better.
Obviously, Bobrovsky's influence stretched beyond just his on-ice performance, and the Panthers players despite not being goaltenders, were still able to pick the brain of the 16-year veteran, something the Maple Leafs now get the chance to benefit from.
Akhtyamov can now measure his routine against the standard Barkov says drove Bobrovsky
That's great news for Artur Akhtyamov, Toronto's prized young goaltender who is coming off a Calder Cup win capped off with a Playoff MVP. If there's anyone who can benefit and learn how to navigate the NHL landscape, it's him, and Bobrovsky is the perfect mentor.
Not only that, but his physical preparation and ability to outwork guys a decade younger than him is a testament to his fitness and conditioning - something that Barkov touched on as a clear outlier for a 37-year-old:
At the gym, he's always working hard. On the ice working really hard. He's one of those guys you look at when you're a young guy, and you're like ‘He's 35 or 36 and he works three times more than I do. Maybe I should do something about it'.
That motivation to become stronger, more fit, more flexible and physically prepared for whatever comes not only is going to help mitigate any potential injuries (though not eliminate them) but also push Akhtyamov to keep pace.
If he can learn how to best maximize his raw talent and learn how Bobrovsky prepares, both physically and mentally, then he's going to have much more confidence stepping into an NHL game than he did last season.
Toronto's $21-million Bobrovsky bet has value beyond the games he starts
It's part of the reason why the Maple Leafs paid $21-million for Bobrovsky this summer. Not only was the team getting a two-time Cup winner who has been one of the best goalies of the last 15 years, but a staunch veteran who is dedicated to keeping himself - and his teammates - at the top of their game.
Once he stops becoming the full-time starter, whether that be due to Akhtyamov coming up, or the Maple Leafs pursuing other goaltending options, Bobrovsky is an incredible mentor who could still help despite not being the focal point in net.
At $7 million per season, Toronto is paying Bobrovsky starter money. But if his presence helps Akhtyamov become NHL-ready sooner, part of the return comes from shortening the development curve of a goalie Toronto drafted 106th overall and has already developed into an AHL playoff MVP.
The more exposure that Akhtyamov (and later on, Samuel Hlavaj potentially) get from Bobrovsky and learn from him, the better. Even if Akhtyamov struggles, he will also get daily exposure to how an established NHL starter resets after bad goals, manages workload and prepares between starts.
Toronto's going to reap the benefits of Bobrovsky on the ice as he continues his impressive and lengthy career, but when he does take a step back, then his replacement is going to be in good hands as Bobrovsky keeps an eye as the Maple Leafs' wise sage.
Do you think the Maple Leafs made the right call in signing Sergei Bobrovsky?
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Maple Leafs prospect Ethan MacKenzie must prove 22-goal offence survives faster hockey