Peksa was an under followed and largely unproven Russian goalie the Leafs drafted in the 6th round and 185th overall in the 2021 NHL draft, after playing only 17 games in the Russian junior league (the MHL). It looked like a smart move when Peksa went on to post a dominating season the following year (56 games; 1.79 GAA; a .936 SV%; and 9 shutouts), followed by an equally impressive draft +2 season when he graduated to the Russan minor leagues (40 games; 2.34 GAA; and a .921 SV%). The two dominating seasons prompted the Leafs to think well enough of him to bring him to North America for the 2023-24 season to begin his development within their minor league system. That transition did not go well with his assignment to the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers where his stats line was 19 games; 3.71 GAA; a .890 SV% and a 5-11-1 record.
Strengths
- Athleticism and Reflexes
Peksa is known for his quick reflexes and athletic ability. At 6’3″ and 194 lbs, he covers a lot of net and relies heavily on his positioning and reaction time to make critical saves. His ability to track pucks and react swiftly has been a defining trait of his play.
- Steady Improvement
While Peksa’s initial transition to North American hockey in the ECHL wasn’t stellar, his performance trended upwards throughout the 2023-24 season. His save percentage rose to .906 in his final 11 games, showing resilience and adaptation to the smaller rinks and more aggressive style of play seen in North America. This suggests he has the potential to grow into a more reliable goalie with continued experience.
Weaknesses
- Transition to North America
Peksa has struggled with consistency during his first year in North America. His early ECHL numbers were concerning, with a .867 save percentage in his first 8 games. The adjustment to the more physical, net-crashing style of North American hockey seems to be a challenge, though his gradual improvement gives reason for optimism.
- Reliability and Consistency
Despite his strong finish, Peksa has not yet proven that he can consistently handle a starting role. He finished behind other goalies on the Newfoundland Growlers in both utilization and performance, which raises questions about his readiness to take on a more prominent role at the minor league level.
Conclusion
Peksa’s significant improved performance in the latter half of his first ECHL season demonstrates that he was able to make the necessary adjustments on his transition to the North American style of hockey. When looking at his previous seasons of dominance and success in progressively more challenging Russian league play, he showed an ability to adapt and be highly successful. This track record suggests Peksa remains an intriguing prospect with potential for continued development. At 22, he is still young for a goaltender and it is expected that he will be given the opportunity to demonstrate that potential by playing a significantly larger role with the Leafs’ ECHL affiliate in Cincinnati.