Maple Leafs sign Artur Akhtyamov to 3-year extension worth $900K annually

According to the press release, the deal is a two-way contract for the first season and then becomes a one-way contract for the remaining two seasons. Akhtyamov was set to become an RFA and eligible for arbitration at the conclusion of this season, as he was in the final year of his entry-level contract signed on July 2, 2023.

In the midst of his second season in North America after leaving AK Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League in the summer of 2024, Akhtyamov has taken strides in his development as a goalie prospect for the Leafs. He has emerged as the Toronto Marlies starter with a team-leading 32 starts and is among the AHL league leaders in wins with 18. At the time of filing, he has a record of 18-10-4, a .904 save percentage, a 2.86 GAA, and a shutout.

Akhtyamov’s success has earned him a nod in the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic, in which he started in all three games for the North Division All-Star Team. Akhtyamov has also earned multiple call-ups by the Leafs when they were dealing with injuries in the crease, including making his NHL debut on December 13. He came in relief of Dennis Hildeby during a 6-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, stopping all five shots he faced.

“From the first time I saw him, I thought he was sick,” Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll said of Akhtyamov on December 12. “He’s a good goalie, man, you watch him out there. The Russians are feeding their guys something different. He’s been great, super laid-back guy, always smiling.”

The 24-year-old was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft by the Leafs and is considered to be one of their most promising goaltending prospects, ranking #5 on TLN’s Leafs Prospect Rankings last summer. Akhtyamov’s relief appearance against the Oilers made him the first member of the Leafs’ ill-fated 2020 draft class to appear in an NHL game.

With Akhtyamov locked up, the Leafs now have him, Hildeby, Woll, and Anthony Stolarz under contract for the next two seasons.

“Whether he has a good game or bad game, he’s pretty even-keel all the time and, in practice, it’s the same thing,” Marlies captain Logan Shaw said via The Toronto Sun’s Terry Koshan. “He’s good at controlling his emotions. He’s a good pro. Every day, he’s consistent. He does the same thing. But the biggest thing for me is that he’s a great person.”