Sergei Bobrovsky's signing was a great way to mentor Artur Akhtyamov however in doing so, the team may have narrowed his path to an NHL job.
When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Sergei Bobrovsky on the first day of free agency, it was a move that ensured the team finally has a starter they can rely on and trust. Despite a down year last year, he's a two-time Cup winner and one of the best goaltenders in the entire world who can step up in the postseason when Toronto needs it most.
He's also going to be a great mentor for Artur Akhtyamov, as the veteran Bobrovsky can give his fellow countryman a boatload of advice and guide him into a long and prosperous NHL career.
Bobrovsky's signing is going to help guide Artur Akhtyamov but also prevent him from flourishing
But it's a double-edged sword for Akhtyamov because while Bobrovsky is going to make for a fantastic mentor and someone who can guide him along, he's also someone who is going to block his path to the NHL for a little bit longer.
This doesn't necessarily mean that Akhtyamov won't see playing time, as there's still obviously a chance that Bobrovsky or Anthony Stolarz gets hurt and then they need him to come in and help steady the ship. Both men aren't exactly spring chickens, so if Toronto runs into an issue at least they have a young goalie to help them out.
But if that doesn't happen, Bobrovsky is likely going to get around 50 or so starts, meanwhile Stolarz will take the remainder unless hurt.
The one lucky thing for Akhtyamov though is that he isn't really blocked outside of those two veterans because the team no longer has Joseph Woll or Dennis Hildeby, so he doesn't have to fight through a flurry of goalies to get in.
Bobrovsky's durability could cause Akhtyamov to only play a handful of games
Herein lies a problem though. Bobrovsky has been one of the most durable and enduring players over the past decade and while he did deal with injuries previously, he's proven he can handle an immense workload with no issues.
So where exactly does Akhtyamov get the chances? If Stolarz is hurt then he is going to back up Bobrovsky, but may only get a few starts here and there (or potentially none depending on the length of time) and it's not exactly great for his development.
A strong Marlies season doesn't really help things either because it's more of the same as we've seen and it's proof he's better than the AHL and could be a reliable starter. Don't forget too, Bobrovsky signed in Toronto to play with Stolarz, so if you're going to think about dumping him to give Akhtyamov a shot, you could create unneeded friction.
Akhtyamov already won the Calder Cup and was Playoff MVP while showing as much poise and reliability as Bobrovsky had in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He's nearly ready to be a starter for the Maple Leafs but not until Bobrovsky hands him the torch - potentially three years from now.
Was singing Sergei Bobrovsky a good or bad idea for the Maple Leafs?
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