Former Maple Leafs goalie signs with Flyers affecting team depth

This move continues the ongoing adjustments to the Maple Leafs' goaltending situation ahead of the 2024-25 season.

The departure of Keith Petruzzelli from the Maple Leafs organization marks another twist in the team's quest for stability in goal. Petruzzelli, who spent the past 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.

With Petruzzelli moving on, the Marlies are now tasked with finding a replacement for the upcoming 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 poised to step up.

The first is Artur Ahktyamov, a Russian goalie who played in the KHL last season. Ahktyamov posted a solid 2.51 goals-against average and a 0.921 save percentage in 17 KHL games. At just 22 years old, he is seen as a promising future star for the Maple Leafs.

Another key prospect is Dennis Hildeby, who served as the starting goalie for the Marlies last season. Standing at 6'7", Hildeby had a strong performance with a 2.41 goals-against average and a 0.913 save percentage over 41 games. He is expected to continue as the Marlies' starter and could potentially see NHL action if needed.

Finally, Vyacheslav Peska, the youngest of the group at 21 years old, is still developing. Peska played 19 games in the ECHL with the Newfoundland Growlers last season. He is anticipated to spend most of his time in the ECHL, with occasional call-ups to the Marlies.

Despite the loss of Petruzzelli, the Marlies are well-positioned with their goaltending prospects. The absence of a veteran goalie could influence the development of these promising players, but the team remains optimistic about their future.

Source: Maple Leafs Daily
Former Maple Leafs goalie lands a deal with Flyers organization

Source: HockeyDB
Keith Petruzzelli Stats

Source: HockeyDB
Dennis Hildeby Stats

Source: HockeyDB
Vyacheslav Peska Stats