The Maple Leafs are preparing Sergei Bobrovsky's backup already but as much as you'd expect it to be Anthony Stolarz, it's someone much closer to home.
Signing Bobrovsky this summer was a huge splash for John Chayka and the Maple Leafs as they finally got themselves a starter who can not only handle the workload of a 50+ game season, but one who is absolutely one of the best in the world especially when it comes down to the postseason.
It was a bit pricey but in this modern NHL you are going to need to pay a lot more than usual to get the pieces you want, and it seems like Toronto is going all-in by recreating the Panthers' Stanley Cup winning tandem which includes Anthony Stolarz. The two can be a fantastic duo however with Stolarz's injury history it's a bit concerning.
The tandem Toronto is quietly building for next year
But as much as they believe in Stolarz and Bobrovsky, there is still someone else who is waiting in the wings and it seems like the Maple Leafs are preparing for a new goalie in the near future: Artur Akhtyamov.
The Russian netminder came into the postseason to cover for Dennis Hildeby who struggled for a game and never looked back. He had a stellar run en route to the Calder Cup and Playoff MVP while showcasing some seriously impressive highlights that look a lot more like the second-coming of Dominik Hasek.
Toronto believes in him, so much so they traded away Dennis Hildeby and Joseph Woll while also dishing off newcomer Samuel Ersson only a short time after acquiring him. The plan was always Bobrovsky and Stolarz with Akhtyamov in tow.
Well, if Akhtyamov has a strong season and Stolarz has more concerns, then it might be time to make the switch. Stolarz's trade protection drops next summer from 16-team protection to only 10 teams, so the Maple Leafs could get him dealt away much easier than they could this summer.
And with how Akhtyamov considers Bobrovsky his idol and someone he admired growing up, having him as his mentor now means that as much as they want to keep Stolarz - they may have a better partner already in place.
But a minimum amount of appearances will do nothing for Akhtyamov
Though you don't really know what Akhtyamov will bring unless you play him a bunch. He had a very small sample size where he wasn't exactly great and he even admitted as much (perhaps fuelling his postseason heroics).
They need to give him a real, honest and true shot. We aren't talking 10 games spread throughout the year due to injuries, but a true 1/2 plan with Bobrovsky. Have the veteran start two or three, then have Akhtyamov start a game. Rinse and repeat. That gives you Bobrovsky with the usual 50+ starts, while giving Akhtyamov time to acclimate.
But it can really only happen if Stolarz goes down,, as even if he struggles the team may look to have Bobrovsky shoulder everything. But if Stolarz comes in and performs like he did last season, it may be time to make the call early. The Marlies have enough goalies to keep them afloat and Akhtyamov needs the exposure.
He can't just sit in the AHL either, because much like Hildeby he won't be given enough time to show what he can do, perhaps even raise his stock a little more as well. He played three games, lost two, and had horrible stats.
He was also playing for a team who had literally no direction or pep in their step so he isn't exactly 100% at fault.
So with Stolarz's protection running down next summer and a full season ahead to see what Artur Akhtyamov can do in the NHL, it's imperative the team gives him a shot sooner or later, or they may be stuck with the same situation they found themselves in with Hildeby this summer.
What tandem would you rather see in net for the Maple Leafs in 2027?
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Morgan Rielly made himself a lot easier for Toronto to trade