Ilya Samsonov ready to turn over a new leaf; just not in Toronto
After a challenging season with the Maple Leafs, Ilya Samsonov is set for a rebound season with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Samsonov had a forgettable season with the Maple Leafs in 2023-24, struggling with inconsistent play and some very forgettable numbers. His performance was unquestionably subpar, but while he did put up 23 wins, a .890 save percentage and a 3.13 GAA in 40 games were well below the league average.
Notably, Samsonov was placed on waivers mid-season, and after going unclaimed, he landed on a conditioning stint with the AHL's Toronto Marlies -- though he didn't play any games in the AHL. He ended up bouncing back nicely, but for a time, there was a significant loss of confidence, which rendered him unplayable at the NHL level.
Both Samsonov and the Maple Leafs mutually agreed to part ways this summer, as each sought new opportunities. For the Maple Leafs, Joseph Woll demonstrated his readiness for a larger role in goal, alongside newly acquired Stanley Cup champion Anthony Stolarz. Meanwhile, Samsonov signed a one year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights worth $1.8 million per season -- another "prove it" deal of sorts, but one that may yield better results than he was able to produce in Toronto behind an often porous defense.
Samsonov shared his enthusiasm for the new opportunity by posting a photo of the Golden Knights logo on Instagram recently.
In Vegas, Samsonov will join Adin Hill in a goaltending tandem. We hope that Samsonov can revitalize his career, while we also look forward to seeing Joseph Woll emerge as a top goalie in his increased opportunity following Samsonov's departure. Hopefully this is a scenario in which everyone gets better after a bit of a mismatch in Toronto.
Source for stats: HockeyDB
Ilya Samsonov Statistics
| POLL | ||
AOUT 11 | 1057 ANSWERS Ilya Samsonov ready to turn over a new leaf; just not in Toronto Will Ilya Samsonov have a bounce back season for the Vegas Golden Knights? | ||
| Yes | 489 | 46.3 % |
| No | 568 | 53.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
