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    Nick Barden
    Nov 29, 2024, 13:00

    All three of Akhtyamov, Hildeby, and Murray are having strong starts to the season in the AHL with the Marlies.

    The Toronto Maple Leafs haven't had depth in the goaltending position for a long time.

    And now, with plenty of options behind Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll, Toronto could flip one of them for an asset ahead of the NHL's Trade Deadline in March.

    According to the Toronto Star's Nick Kypreos, several NHL teams are eyeing the Maple Leafs' goalie depth and could try to acquire one in the near future.

    "Lots of teams are eyeing the Leafs depth in net beyond the tandem of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll," Kypreos wrote. "Odds are Toronto will move one of them before the trade deadline."

    Stolarz signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the Maple Leafs in the summer and has been strong since coming into Toronto. His .921 save percentage through seven games is the sixth-best among NHL goaltenders who've played more than eight games.

    Woll has been just as steady after missing the beginning of a season with a groin injury. The 26-year-old goaltender has five wins and a .922 save percentage through seven games with Toronto this year.

    However, according to Kypreos, NHL teams are eyeing the depth goaltenders with the Maple Leafs' farm club, the Toronto Marlies: Dennis Hildeby, Artur Akhtyamov, and Matt Murray.

    Akhtyamov has been a pleasant surprise early in the season with the Marlies. His .935 save percentage through seven games is fourth among qualified AHL goaltenders and first among rookie netminders.

    After being out for most of last season recovering from bilateral hip surgery, Matt Murray re-signed with Toronto in the summer. He's on a one-year, $875,000 NHL deal and has two wins and a .914 save percentage through five games with the Marlies.

    Dennis Hildeby joined the Maple Leafs when Woll went down early in the season, securing his first NHL win in his debut. Since returning to the Marlies, the 23-year-old goaltender has two wins and a .910 save percentage in four games.

    Murray admitted during the summer that this is the best his hips have felt in a long time. Does the 30-year-old make sense for other NHL clubs or, because of his resume of two Stanley Cups, do the Maple Leafs hang onto the veteran goaltender?

    Hildeby has only played two NHL games and has come out of that stretch with an .869 save percentage. Akhytamov came over from KHL in the summer and is in his first season of North American hockey. Although he's been strong, it's going to take more time for him to get used to this game.

    It's good news that the Maple Leafs have an abundance of goaltenders. It'll be fascinating to see if any of the depth goalies exit the organization before the Mar. 7 deadline.