What Happened
The Maple Leafs announced Monday that forward Vinni Lettieri and goaltender Artur Akhtyamov have been recalled from the AHL's Toronto Marlies. Lettieri, 31, has opened the minor-league season with three goals and six assists in five games. Toronto hosts San Jose on Monday while carrying a three-game losing streak. William Nylander skipped morning skate due to illness and will be a game-time decision, head coach Jim Hiller said, though the team has not specified whose roster spot Lettieri fills.
Key Details
- Lettieri has 15 goals and 17 assists across 155 career NHL games with the Rangers, Ducks, Bruins and Wild
- His most recent NHL action came two seasons ago, when he had five points in 26 games for Boston
- He led the Marlies in the 2025 Calder Cup playoffs with 26 points in 23 games
- Akhtyamov has yet to play for Toronto this season; he had a 5.24 GAA in three appearances in 2025-26
- The 24-year-old goalie has an .882 save percentage in three AHL games this season
What It Means
Lettieri gives Toronto a veteran option up front while Nylander's status is unsettled, and his AHL scoring pace made him the obvious call. Akhtyamov's promotion adds goaltending depth behind the NHL tandem. Both players were part of the Marlies' Calder Cup-winning run last season, so the organization is drawing on familiar reinforcements during a rough stretch.
What's Next
Nylander's availability will be settled around game time against the Sharks. Lettieri's role and lineup placement depend on that decision, and Akhtyamov's position on the depth chart will become clearer once the goaltending plan for Monday is set.