The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially placed goaltender Ilya Samsonov on waivers, as per verified reports from team sources. The organization has explained that this move is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at affording Samsonov a much-needed “reset” and has outlined a detailed plan to assist him in overcoming his on-ice struggles. Despite renewing Samsonov’s contract for just one year in the previous off-season through arbitration, his performance throughout this season has been subpar, resulting in his unfortunate distinction as one of the NHL’s least effective goalies.
His current save percentage of .862 is somewhat forgiving when considering his recent performances, registering at .714 against the Columbus Blue Jackets and .737 against the Buffalo Sabres.
Samsonov’s challenges were exacerbated when Joseph Woll, the team’s anticipated No. 1 goaltender, suffered a high-ankle injury on December 7. Woll’s absence presented an opportunity for Martin Jones, initially the third goaltender, to step into the spotlight. Jones, signed to a one-year, $875,000 contract in August, has delivered commendable performances, boasting a 4-3-0 record and an impressive .915 save percentage.
However, the Maple Leafs’ preference for dividing goaltending duties in back-to-back games has laid bare Samsonov’s struggles. In the most recent clash against the Blue Jackets on December 29, Samsonov allowed six goals on 21 shots, resulting in a 6-5 overtime loss.
Turning their attention to address goaltending challenges, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on ‘Saturday Headlines’ that the Leafs are actively considering summoning 22-year-old Dennis Hildeby for a game during their imminent three-game road trip to California. The decision to place Samsonov on waivers suggests that Hildeby might indeed accompany the Leafs on this pivotal journey.
The Leafs seem to be banking on Hildeby’s preparedness and Jones’ ability to maintain competitiveness despite his age. The overarching hope is that Joseph Woll’s eventual return to full health will provide a substantial boost to their goaltending situation.