Ilya Samsonov plays exceptionally well behind inexperienced group, exceeding all expectations in camp
When he signed his 1-year deal with the Leafs early in free agency, Ilya Samsonov said he wanted the "prove it" deal after not having lived up to being a first round pick in Washington. Since joining the Leafs, Samsonov has looked very good between the pipes.
While he gave up 3 goals on 26 shots in his final preseason game last night in Detroit, Samsonov battled all nigt and made some great saves, including robbing Dylan Larkin twice. He was poised, calm and tracked the puck well. Following the game, Keefe offered his take on how Samsonov has played throughout camp.
"I think he has been excellent. This is a tough task for him today. Certainly, on at least two of the goals that we gave up, all five players on the ice were exhausted because we couldn't get out of our end. That is the kind of thing that happens in a game like this.
"You don't really see it as much because of the nature of the position, but that is hard on the goalie, too. He doesn't get a breather. He doesn't get time to recover. I think that affects some of the goals that go in. At the same time, I thought he made some huge saves for us and gave the group confidence. It was a very inexperienced group in front of him tonight. He gave us confidence there. There was a lot of chatter on the bench about some of the saves and the confidence he was giving the group.
"I think he has had a great camp right from the time he has come through our doors in our facility even before camp began. The work he has put in to get himself ready for the season has shown. I think it is all we could really ask for. We are really happy with what we have gotten out of him."
"You don't really see it as much because of the nature of the position, but that is hard on the goalie, too. He doesn't get a breather. He doesn't get time to recover. I think that affects some of the goals that go in. At the same time, I thought he made some huge saves for us and gave the group confidence. It was a very inexperienced group in front of him tonight. He gave us confidence there. There was a lot of chatter on the bench about some of the saves and the confidence he was giving the group.
"I think he has had a great camp right from the time he has come through our doors in our facility even before camp began. The work he has put in to get himself ready for the season has shown. I think it is all we could really ask for. We are really happy with what we have gotten out of him."
Keefe has clearly been impressed with Samsonov throughout camp and despite giving up 3 goals last night, he also liked how he never quit and kept the outmatched and inexperienced Leafs in the game. Samsonov will provide plenty of competition for Matt Murray and the starting job - something Keefe said will be determined by who is playing better down the line.
| POLL | ||
8 OCTOBRE | 227 ANSWERS Ilya Samsonov plays exceptionally well behind inexperienced group, exceeding all expectations in camp How many starts will Samsonov have for the Leafs this season? | ||
| 20-30 | 86 | 37.9 % |
| 31-40 | 108 | 47.6 % |
| 41-50 | 25 | 11 % |
| More than 50 | 8 | 3.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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