The two top Leafs goaltending prospects are off to excellent starts with their respective teams

Two of the Leafs' top goalie prospects are absolutely going off to start their respective VHL seasons, as both Vyacheslav Peksa and Artur Akhtyamov are .929 or better through their first 6 games of the season.

A sixth round pick in the 2021 draft, Slava Peksa is currently playing for Bars Kazan in the VHL, which is essentially the KHL's answer to the AHL. Through six games so far, the starter for Bars Kazan has posted a 3-2-1 record and has a fantastic .929 save percentage.

Meanwhile, Akhtyamov, a fourth round pick in the 2020 draft, was the teammate of Peksa until this season when he moved to Neftyanik, also of the VHL. Akhtyamov has posted a 3-3-0 record with an astounding .940 save percentage.

Both goalies were deemed to be "projects" by scouts, but it would appear their development has taken a leap forward this season, much to the delight of Leafs GM Kyle Dubas. With the Leafs having more than enough goalies across the NHL, AHL and ECHL currently, there is no real rush to bring them over to North America, especially if they're playing big minutes for their teams in the VHL. One or both Peksa and Akhtyamov have the potential to wear the blue and white, it's just a matter of getting the most out of them during their key developmental years before bringing them over to North America.