Ex-Capitals Goaltender Samsonov Placed On Waivers Amid Struggles With Maple Leafs

Samsonov ranks 59th of 60 goaltenders with at least 10 games played this season.

The Washington Capitals saw a familiar face hit the waiver wire on Sunday, as the Toronto Maple Leafs placed goaltender Ilya Samsonov on waivers.

Samsonov will be reassigned to the AHL's Toronto Marlies if he clears.

Toronto's decision comes following a difficult start to 2023-24 for the 26-year-old, who is 5-2-6 with a .862 save percentage, 4.02 GAA and -15.4 GSAA (goals saved above average). Of the 60 goalies with at least 10 appearances this season, he ranks 59th.

The Russian netminder got his start with the Capitals, going to D.C. in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft. He was once believed to be the goaltender of the future for the organization when Braden Holtby's time was said and done, but he struggled to find consistency following an ATV accident in August 2020 that injured his neck and back.

Samsonov had spent three years in Washington trying to become the bonafide starter, going 52-22-8 with a .902 save percentage and 2.81 GAA. However, neither he nor then-goalie partner Vitek Vanecek could steal the starting role full-time.

As a result, general manager Brian MacLellan elected not to qualify Samsonov, who was an RFA at the time, and trade Vanecek while bringing in Darcy Kuemper and Charlie Lindgren.

Samsonov signed a one-year deal to join the Maple Leafs last summer and impressed in his first year for Toronto, shining with a .919 save percentage in 42 games. He was awarded a one-year, $3.55 million extension in arbitration this offseason. However, his play has taken a drastic drop off this season as he's been unable to recapture his game.

Joseph Woll is now the No. 1 for the Maple Leafs, who continue to look for solutions in net.