During the summer, the Toronto Maple Leafs went into the salary arbitration process with their goaltender, Ilya Samsonov. The outcome was highly anticipated, not just for the final numbers but also because such negotiations can potentially strain player-organization relations.
Ilya Samsonov concluded the negotiations with a one-year deal worth $3.55M. Considering his performance from the previous season, this seems reasonable for Brad Treliving.
Implications of Samsonov's Contract for Treliving
However, this brief contract poses several issues for the Maple Leafs.
Now, it's Samsonov's turn to prove his worth. He's setting the groundwork for a potentially significant career move. If he has a good season, he'll be able to ask for a big raise. And, should he prove his worth, the Leafs will likely want him on their side.
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Yet, there lies a concern for Treliving: if Samsonov plays well, he might attract attention from other teams once he hits the free agent market.
Could Samsonov be on the Move?
Before that happens, the Leafs are expected to pull out all the stops to keep him. However, if that proves unfeasible, a trade before the deadline could be a real possibility.
Then, if Samsonov isn't traded for another goaltender, Joseph Woll would become the number one, followed by Martin Jones. Heading into the playoffs, this lineup is less than ideal unless Woll manages to shine in his rookie year in the NHL.
To sum it up, while Samsonov's contract seems advantageous now, it might bring future complications for Treliving, who's already busy with William Nylander.
As seen on Hockey Patrol - Maple Leafs Took A Big Swing With Star Goaltender
| POLL | ||
18 SEPTEMBRE | 80 ANSWERS Brad Treliving Took a Major Risk This Summer Do you think Samsonov will remain in Toronto after his current contract? | ||
| Yes | 40 | 50 % |
| No | 40 | 50 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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