The game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights tonight at Scotiabank Arena brings the return of a former goaltender for the team in Ilya Samsonov.
With the Maple Leafs juggling a few lines tonight after getting bit by the injury bug, the game also features the first time back in Toronto for goaltender Ilya Samsonov.
With the Leafs turning to Anthony Stolarz this summer, Samsonov signed a one-year deal with the Vegas Golden Knights when free agency opened back in July.
While speaking with reporters in advance of tonight's game, Samsonov said he's excited to be back in Toronto, even though he's not the starting goaltender.
He also shared his biggest regret from his time with the Maple Leafs from 2022 to 2024.
The roster in each of Ilya Samsonov's seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs was certainly capable of making a run to the Stanley Cup Final, if not going all the way. Samsonov had a very good first season with the Maple Leafs, but his stats started to decline the following year.
Samsonov admitted that he misses Toronto, although he joked that he does not miss the traffic at all. It wasn't always a good time for him with the Maple Leafs, but Samsonov does seem grateful for the time he spent in Toronto.