'We Have to Do All We Can To Try To Get Him Back': Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov Clears Waivers, What's Next For the Struggling Goaltender?
The Russian will continue to work with team staff in Toronto to build the goalie's confidence back up.
Ilya Samsonov cleared waivers after the 2 p.m. ET deadline Monday came and went without any other 31 NHL clubs biting on the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender.
Samsonov was placed on waivers by the Maple Leafs on Sunday after the goaltender could not shake his struggles this season. He allowed six goals on 21 shots in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Dec. 29.
The Maple Leafs called up Dennis Hildeby from the Toronto Marlies on Monday and the prospect goaltender will become the No. 2 option when the team heads to California to begin a three-game road trip.
Samsonov will stay back in Toronto and work with staff in an effort to rediscover his game. He'll technically be on the Marlies roster as the club needs to make room for Hildeby. But there is no plan for the goaltender to play in any AHL games.
"It's just a continuation of what's been happening here," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe explained. "But it's removing him from the situation to focus solely on himself and his game."
Samsonov started the 2023-24 season as the club's presumptive starter but struggled since the very beginning. While Joseph Woll outperformed Samsonov, the rookie goaltender is unavailable after sustaining a high-ankle sprain on Dec. 7.
Toronto's third goaltender — Martin Jones — has filled in well since Woll's injury, but the hope among management was that Samsonov would discover his game over December.
Instead, he finished December with a 1-1-3 record and a .828 save percentage.
"From my perspective, he's a good goalie and has played a lot of good hockey for us and we have to do all we can to try to get him back," Keefe said of Samsonov. "That would be the plan."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do-9bGOFXHc[/embed]
Samsonov helped guide the Maple Leafs to their first playoff-round victory in 19 years when they defeated the Tampa Bay Lighting in six games last spring. Both the goalie and club were unable to come to terms on a new deal as an arbitrator eventually ruled on a new one-year $3.55 million deal for this season.
This season, Samsonov is 5-2-6 with an .862 save percentage.
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