Ilya Samsonov booked tickets for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
I hate to say it too much, but it’s true. This time next year, the Toronto Maple Leafs will have a new goaltender.
There are many factors why this will be Samsonov’s last season with the team, but the biggest one is his poor play thus far.
his terrible statistics This season so far, combined with the emergence of Joseph Woll, gives many reasons to believe that this will be Ilya Samsonov’s last season with the team.
Here’s why he won’t be a member of the Leafs next season.
Ilya Samsonov has been released from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
As mentioned above, Ilya Samsonov had a terrible start to the season.
He has a record of 2 wins, 1 loss, and 0 losses in the four games he started. His current numbers aren’t bad, but in those games the Leafs won, Samsonov received great offensive support from his teammates.
Samsonov currently ranks 57th among NHL goalies with a 4.33 GAA and 58th with a SV% of .831. Even though it’s still early in the season, this statistic is absolutely terrible, especially since last year when Samsonov was doing well. (All stats: quanthockey.com)
Ilya Samsonov is also in the middle of his contract year, and given his past season, it’s safe to say the Leafs don’t want to let him go.Even if Samsonov turns this season around and has great results.similar statistics Considering what happened up until last year, it’s likely that he will step away from the team.
In addition to this, Joseph Woll has had a great start to the season. In his last game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, he made 29/29 saves (relieving Samsonov) and contributed to the Leafs’ come-from-behind victory. Woll was also the Leafs’ top goaltender in last year’s playoffs.
All signs point to Woll becoming the Leafs’ new starter by the end of the season, if not earlier.
Not only has Wal been outclassed by Samsonov for a long time, he’s also younger and has a much better contract that will only pay him $766,000 at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Another factor is that the team sent him to arbitration this summer. Even if Samsonov bounces back and has a great season, it’s unlikely he’ll want to stay with the Leafs.
So Samsonov’s time as a Maple Leaf may be coming to an end, but that may be for the best.
