Ex-Maple Leafs Goaltender Ilya Samsonov Throws Some Shade at his Former Team

Samsonov was brought in by the Leafs as a cheap reclamation project during the summer of 2022. He enjoyed a relatively successful first season in the Blue and White, which then led to another one-year contract the following season.

After posting a 27-10-5 record with a .919 SV% and a 2.33 GAA with 4 shutouts, he was unable to replicate or improve on those numbers in 2023-24. In fact, things got so bad for the Russian netminder, that he was waived and sent to the minors - albeit for a very short stint where he didn't suit up once for the Toronto Marlies.

His .890 SV% and 3.13 GAA left a lot to be desired, even though he held a 23-7-8 record and his playoff performances did not live up to the mark. In 14 postseason contests during his time in Toronto, Samsonov was 5-8 with a .897 SV% and a 3.09 GAA - far from what was required by the Maple Leafs.

Brad Treliving and company then decided to go with a cheaper tandem for the 2024-25 season by extending Joseph Woll and signing free agent veteran Anthony Stolarz. Samsonov decided to find greener pastures in Vegas and in his debut for his new club, he picked up a victory against the Anaheim Ducks with a 22 save performance.

After the game, Samsonov told the media that he is extremely happy to be in Vegas and that he had never felt an atmosphere quite as electric as the T-Mobile Arena - going as far as saying it was the best in the league.

Perhaps he was just trying to endear himself to his new fan base or perhaps he actually meant it. Regardless of intent, it's hard not to think that he was potentially throwing a little bit of shade towards his former club. The veteran goaltender has a spicy side to him as evidenced by his social media beef with Linus Ullmark this past summer, so it's definitely not out of the question.

As for now, both teams seem very content with their goaltending choices as Anthony Stolarz has filled in brilliantly for the injured Woll and Samsonov was able to get the proverbial monkey off his back by picking up his first win for his new club.