Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov has cleared waivers and will officially report to the club’s AHL affiliate.
After posting career bests in wins (27), GAA (2.33), and SV% (.919) with Toronto in 2022-23, Samsonov has struggled mightily in his second year with the Leafs. His goals against average has ballooned to 3.94, his SV% has plummeted to .862 and the netminder has given up 6,5,6,4 goals in his last 4 starts (all losses).
Most notably however, the 26 year old has looked visibly rattled in net in the heightened media market of Toronto. A factor which has caused a sizable portion of the Leafs fan base to let their frustrations with the Russian born goalie be known both at home, and via social media.
All of this has resulted in a fragile situation for Samsonov and the Leafs alike, with some members of the media deeming it “cruel” to allow him to continue to make starts at the NHL level.
“The mistakes get magnified when you don’t make saves. It’s the NHL and we need saves, and we need points, and we need wins, so I’m sure [Brad Treliving] is going to consider everything,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said following Samsonov’s last start.
While the Magnitogorsk native will report to the Marlies, it’s currently unclear whether Toronto will actually dress Samsonov at the AHL level or simply have him take some time to work on mechanics away from the spotlight. Following their 3-2 loss to the Hurricanes on Saturday, the Leafs now head out west for a 3 game roadtrip against the Kings, Ducks and Sharks. Toronto will return home on January 9th, at which time a decision regarding Samsonov’s next steps will be made.
With Samsonov struggling, Toronto has turned to 33 year old veteran Martin Jones to right the ship. In 6 starts, Jones has 4 wins, 1 shutout, and sports a 2.73 GAA and .915 SV%. Joseph Woll remains week to week with a high ankle sprain suffered in his team’s 4-3 win over the Senators back in early December.
Currently playing on a 1 year, $3.55M contract, Samsonov will be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.
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