Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov has been awarded a one year contract valued at $3.55M by mediator Stephen Raymond in arbitration today. The deal comes after the 26 year old filed at $4.9M while the club submitted a $2.4M valuation heading into Sunday’s meeting.
Samsonov went 27-10-5 with a .919 SV% and 2.33 GAA across 42 appearances last season with the Leafs, all of which were career highs. He also went 4-4 in 9 playoff appearances before ultimately bowing out to the Florida Panthers in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
Originally drafted 22nd overall by the Washington Capitals in 2015, the Russian netminder is coming off a 1 year deal worth $1.8M, and will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2024-25 season.
A decorated international goaltender, Samsonov has a Gagarin Cup from the KHL on his resume, while also representing Russia at the U17, U18 and World Junior championships between 2014 and 2017.
With Samsonov now locked in at $3.55M, a second 48hr buyout window is now open for the Maple Leafs, meaning GM Brad Treliving will need to make a decision on Matt Murray’s future in short order.
If the Leafs opt to buyout Murray’s remaining $6.25M cap hit, they’ll see a $687K hit on in 2023-24, and a $2M figure in 2024-25. Should Toronto elect to move on from Murray, that likely means they’ll enter the season with a tandem of Samsonov and Joseph Woll between the pipes.
Murray could still be moved, likely with draft compensation included as a sweetener, but he still holds a 10 team no trade list. A clause which he’s already demonstrated he isn’t afraid to use after blocking a potential deal from Ottawa to Buffalo in 2022.
Regardless, a decision will need to be made sooner rather than later as the Leafs currently sit with a league high $95.88M worth of salaries before factoring in buyouts, LTIR moves and any forthcoming waiving of roster players.
Photo: Jenn G. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.