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August 16, 2024.
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The former Maple Leafs goalie signs with the Flyers affecting the team’s depth.
The Toronto Maple Leafs face another shakeup to their goaltending lineup as former goaltender Keith Petruzzelli signs with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
This move continues ongoing adjustments to the Maple Leafs’ goaltending situation ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Keith Petruzzelli’s departure from the Maple Leafs organization marks another turn in the team’s search for stability in goal. Petruzzelli, who spent the last three seasons with the Maple Leafs, first made his mark with the Newfoundland Growlers in the ECHL before advancing to the AHL with the Toronto Marlies. Despite a promising start, Petruzzelli’s performance declined last season, posting a 3.55 goals-against average and a 0.867 save percentage.
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With Petruzzelli gone, the Marlies are now tasked with finding a replacement for next season. Fortunately, the Maple Leafs have invested heavily in their goaltending prospects, providing several options to fill the void.
Toronto has been diligent in developing its goaltending talent and a trio of prospects are ready to step up.
The first is Artur Ahktyamov, a Russian goaltender who played in the KHL last season. Ahktyamov posted a solid 2.51 goals-against average and 0.921 save percentage in 17 KHL games. At just 22 years old, he is considered a promising future star for the Maple Leafs.
Another key prospect is Dennis Hildeby, who was the Marlies’ starting goalie last season. Listed at 6’7″, Hildeby had a solid performance with a 2.41 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage in 41 games. He is expected to continue as a starter for the Marlies and could potentially see action in the NHL if necessary.
Finally, Vyacheslav Peska, the youngest of the group at 21 years old, continues to develop. Peska played 19 games in the ECHL with the Newfoundland Growlers last season. It is anticipated that he will spend most of his time in the ECHL, with occasional call-ups to the Marlies.
Despite Petruzzelli’s loss, the Marlies are well positioned with his goaltending prospects. The absence of a veteran goalkeeper could impact the development of these promising players, but the team remains optimistic about their future.
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