The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that they have signed Russian goaltender Vyacheslav Peksa to a three-year entry-level contract on Monday.
Peksa, 20, was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the sixth round, 185th overall in 2021.
His contract carries a cap hit of $851,667.
Since being drafted Peksa has made major improvements. In the MHL last season, Peksa played 56 games with a .936% save percentage for Irbis Kazan. He ranked third in games played and save percentage amongst all goalies in Russia’s top junior league.
It was a somewhat surprising move, given that I don’t think anyone expected the Leafs to make any moves until they decided who their GM was going to be for next year.
Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Top Goaltending Prospect
This season, Vyacheslav Peksa transitioned to the VHL, the second-tier Russian pro league. He was immediately given the starter’s role playing in 40 games for Bars Kazan with a .921% save percentage which ranked 22nd. However, when factoring for age, he ranked fourth amongst U-21 goalies in save percentage and second in games played.
🖊 We’ve signed goaltender Vyacheslav Peksa to a three-year, entry-level contract
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 15, 2023
It remains unclear where Peksa will play next season as his contract with Ak Bars Kazan runs until the 2025-2026 season. Given he’s quickly risen the Russian pro ranks and Kazan’s internal ranks, it is likely that he’ll remain overseas for the foreseeable future.
However, with the logjam that is Kazan’s crease being dominated by veteran all-star Timur Bilyalov and young stud Amir Miftakhov, they may be willing to terminate Peksa’s deal before it expires.
In the short-term though, I would expect that he remains in the VHL to continue his development. Especially with both the Marlies and Growlers crease’s being seemingly occupied for next year with the likes of Keith Petruzzelli, Dennis Hildeby, and Dryden McKay.
Also, with questions surrounding where Joseph Woll will play next season, it makes the most sense to let Peksa improve upon his fantastic professional rookie season. He also might get a chance to play some games in the KHL if he stays.
It will be interesting to see Peksa develop over the coming seasons as he is arguably the Leafs top prospect between the pipes, other than Joseph Woll, who’s stock has risen immensely from when he started the season as the Toronto Maple Leafs fourth string goalie, and was last seen starting games for the Leafs in the playoffs.
No matter how you slice it, the Leafs goaltending future is looking bright.