Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov Seeks to Clear Mental Hurdle in Goal: 'I Feel Sh*t, I Will Be a Guy Who Is Fighting For This'
Ilya Samsonov has reached a low point in his confidence and the Maple Leafs will aim to help him restore it on Saturday when he gets the net against the Nashville Predators.
NASHVILLE — Ilya Samsonov's next start in goal is a big one and the Toronto Maple Leafs are doing their best to prepare him for it.
Amid one of the worst stretches of his NHL career, the Russian goaltender didn't mince words when describing his mindset after allowing three goals on four shots in his last start against the Tampa Bay Lightning last week.
"I feel sh*t, but it’s a piece of my life," Samsonov said following the team's practice at Centennial Sportsplex. "I will be a guy who is fighting for this. I will be fighting for this every day. It’s not my time the last couple of games but I know I’m a better goalie than this."
During practice, Samsonov spent a lot of time working with goaltending coach Curtis Sanford. In a moment not usually seen at practice, Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe spent time with the goaltender and offered up a pep talk.
The message to get him in better spirits? Simply reminding the goalie that he was the one that helped them last season with a .919 save percentage. The one that helped the Maple Leafs win a playoff round for the first time in 19 years.
"These are significant accomplishments that he’s had and it’s a huge step in his career," Keefe said. "So latch onto that as your foundation of your confidence and just get to work and clear your head. It’s a mental game for him right now. He has the ability. He’s shown that."
The 26-year-old goaltender is 2-1-0 this season. The Maple Leafs appeared to be on a trajectory of giving the goaltender two starts for every three games. But that changed on Saturday when Samsonov, who was already struggling to go into the game, allowed three goals on four shots and was pulled in favor of Joseph Woll.
Samsonov doesn't harbor any jealousy for Woll, who has played the best hockey of his young career over the last week, including picking up the win against the Lightning.
"We have a great goalie and he’s had a really good three games for us. It’s really important for the team," Samsonov said of his team. "It’s a big competition for me and we need to push each other. We’re ready. We’re both ready for this."
Samsonov has struggled before.
Last season, he had a string of four consecutive poor performances from Dec. 17, 2022 to Jan. 3, 2023 where he had four consecutive games with a save percentage well below .900.
It was a mental struggle for him then, but he eventually found his way out of it.
But the stakes are bigger.
Samsonov was hoping to be the guy. After beating out Matt Murray last season, both he and the Maple Leafs were unable to figure out a new contract. Instead, a third-party arbitrator awarded Samsonov a one-year, $3.55 million deal.
It's another year where Samsonov has to bet on himself, there's an urgency for the goalie to right the ship. Not just for his teammates, but for his career.
"If I have a bad game I’ve got to get back a little bit quicker than this one," Samsonov said. "I’m not a young goalie."
Although Woll may be the Maple Leafs' future in goal, there's a recognition that the club needs two goaltenders to be successful. In most cases more than two.
There's also a recognition of that from his teammates who are also doing their part.
"You just remind him he’s a great goaltender. We love having him here and we always have his back. Just continue to work hard and use days like today to work hard and use days like today to prepare and work on things and build confidence," Maple Leafs captain John Tavares said.
Samsonov gets the net against the Nashville Predators on Saturday, a team that is currently rebuilding itself. It's a strategic start and one that the Leafs hope will clear the goaltender's fog in his head.
"It’s more of a mental spot," Samsonov explained. "It’s not about how I play hockey. It’s not physical. It’s not about technique. It’s just mental stuff."
Related
News from THN.com