Maple Leafs Make Surprise Move as Top Goalie Prospect Joins Team Right Before Playoffs

Toronto has added to its roster ahead of game one of their first round matchup against the Ottawa Senators, calling up a prospect as a backup option.

The Leafs recalled goaltender Artur Akhtyamov from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League, added as the team's third goaltender.

Akhtyamov played the Marlies final regular season game yesterday against the Rochester Americans in a 3-2 overtime win, making 24 saves.

For the Marlies this season, Akhtyamov, 23, has a 11-8-4 record in 26 games, with a 2.81 GAA and a .901 SV%.

This is Akhtyamov's first season in North America, the 2020 fourth rounder having previously played in the Russian hockey system for AK Bars Kazan, splitting time between the KHL, and Kazan's second tier VHL team, Neftyanik.

Akhtyamov will be the team's third stringer behind the duo of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll in net, coming in if needed in the event of injury to one of the two netminders.

Picking Artur Akhtyamov over the Marlies primary starter in Dennis Hildeby, or an experienced veteran in Matt Murray, is less of a sign of the Leafs picking Akhtyamov as their best option, but with the Marlies too in a playoff spot, picking the easiest option in relief in Akhtyamov.

This way, the Marlies don't lose their tandem of Hildeby and Murray, but Toronto still has a solid third option in Akhtyamov.

The Marlies open their Calder Cup playoffs run in a best-of-3 series against the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Whoever Toronto were to bring up, they'd probably hope not to use. Most cup contenders usually end up sticking to one main goaltender unless injury forces them go to a backup.

Likely, Toronto will be relying on Anthony Stolarz to do the bulk of their net work, with the chance of appearances for Woll. The Leafs would rather use Stolarz as much as possible, with Woll in if needed, or starting early.

Ottawa will likely do the same in relying on Linus Ullmark to be their main goaltender, with both teams unlikely to deviate from their #1's in the 'Battle of Ontario'.