Peksa’s time in the Toronto organization ended after a difficult 2025-26 campaign – 12 AHL appearances with the Marlies produced a 3.78 GAA and .869 save percentage as the third option behind Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov. With Hildeby now departed, the decision not to retain Peksa is telling. He returns to the Russian VHL, where an early strong showing hints at the potential that made him an interesting draft pick – though the window for a North American comeback is closed for the time being. Toronto moves on to Timofei Obvintsev in the organizational goaltending queue as Peksa rebuilds his career overseas.

Peksa saw time in the ECHL in 2024-2025 with the logjam of AHL netminders who are further ahead of him on the depth chart. With the Leafs running with Woll and Stolarz in the NHL, and just signing Hildeby to a contract, Peksa and Artur Akhtyamov are left to battle for the AHL backup or ECHL starter role.

That Peksa was relegated to the ECHL doesn’t bode well for his proximity to the NHL in the Leafs organization, and he is not worth a stash at present. In deep leagues, where goalies are hard to come by, one could watchlist Peksa and see if he improves on his 2.68 GAA and .904 in the ECHL, or earn more certain deployment in the AHL.

In a crowded Marlies depth chart with Hildeby and Akhtyamov ahead of him, Peksa is doing little to prove himself a challenger for a spot in the AHL with another sub-.900SV% season in the ECHL. A disappointing year so far for Peksa who struggles with rebound control and adapting to the speed of pro Hockey. A loan back to Russia may be better for him than struggling in the ECHL.

It has been a rough start to Peksa’s career in North America. Assigned to the ECHL with the Newfoundland Growlers, the Russian goalie has a woeful .845 save percentage along with a 5.08 GAA in his four starts so far this season. With Luke Cavallin playing well and Peksa struggling to find his footing, it may be awhile before we see him get a string of games as the true starting goalie.