Maple Leafs recall Artur Akhtyamov, Vinni Lettieri, game-time decision for William Nylander
Toronto also announced William Nylander would miss team's morning skate with illness ahead of home game against San Jose Sharks.
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The Maple Leafs on Monday recalled goaltender Artur Akhtyamov and forward Vinni Lettieri from the Toronto Marlies.
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Also, William Nylander did not take part in the morning skate because of illness.
Whether Nylander, who has 12 points in nine games, will play against the San Jose Sharks on Monday night will be a game-time decision, Leafs coach Jim Hiller said.
Bo Groulx was in Nylander’s spot on the top line with captain Auston Matthews and Jack Roslovic.
The addition of Lettieri was expected, as it was confirmed on Sunday afternoon. He skated on a line with centre Colton Sissons and Gavin McKenna on Monday morning.
What role will Akhtyamov play?
The recall of Akhtyamov was a bit of a surprise, though with the Leafs heading into a back-to-back situation involving travel — they will depart after the game for Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets on Tuesday — backup rest is in order for Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz.
Hiller confirmed as much, saying that Akhtyamov will be on the bench against San Jose and Columbus.
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Bobrovsky will start against the Sharks while Stolarz will get the call against the Blue Jackets.
Akhtyamov, named the Calder Cup playoffs most valuable player as the Marlies won their second American Hockey League title last spring, has played in three games this season, posting a 2-1-0 record with a .882 save percentage and a 2.94 goals-against average.
In three games with the Leafs in 2025-26, Akhtyamov was 0-2-0 with an .877 save percentage.
Lettieri is off to a good start with the Marlies, recording nine points (three goals and six assists) in five games.
In his Leafs debut, he will wear No. 71. He has played in 155 games with four NHL teams, most recently with the Boston Bruins in 2024-25.
“It’s an honour, no matter when you get called up,” Lettieri said. “To do it with this group and play for the Maple Leafs is a special thing.”
How about playing with McKenna?
“He’s a great player,” Lettieri said. “It should be fun.”
How has Lettieri impressed?
Said Hiller: “He caught my eye right away (in training camp). Terrific attitude, skilled, his work ethic and passion really caught me. He has done a great for the Marlies going back to last year’s playoffs.”
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The Leafs head into Monday night on a three-game losing streak. The Sharks are playing the third game of a six-game trip. They’ve lost three of their past four games.
The meeting will be the first time that the top two picks in the 2026 NHL draft — McKenna and San Jose’s Ivar Stenberg — square off.
Stenberg has two goals and four assists in his first eight NHL games; McKenna has two goals and three assists in his first nine games.
Yaroslav Askarov will start in goal for the Sharks.
The projected Maple Leafs lineup for Monday night:
FORWARDS
LW-C-RW
Bo Groulx-Auston Matthews-Jack Roslovic
Easton Cowan-Nick Paul-Kirill Marchenko
Gavin McKenna-Colton Sissons-Vinni Lettieri
Brandon Duhaime-Teddy Blueger-Zack MacEwen
DEFENCE
Jake McCabe-Darren Raddysh
Morgan Rielly-Troy Stecher
Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Nick Blankenburg
GOALIES
Sergei Bobrovsky
Artur Akhtyamov
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