Toronto Maple Leafs looking to move on from Ilya Samsonov this summer
The Toronto Maple Leafs have several tough decisions to make this summer, including what to do with goaltender Ilya Samsonov.
Daily faceoff writer Matt Larkin put Samsonov's position into context. He noted that is simply does not make sense for the Leafs to bring him back when there are better options available, especially given his tendency to give up goals at bad times.
"Samsonov is clearly a talented athlete, but the space between his ears has failed him one too many times during his tenure between Toronto's pipes. Treliving passed up any opportunity to name him as a piece of the Leafs' net last week during management's season-ending presser. It simply makes little sense to bring back a netminder with a penchant for allowing backbreaking goals."
Samsonov himself admitted that he needed to be better in their series against the Bruins this year. The only reason he even got the net in game seven is because Joseph Woll was injured. Woll had started games five and six, earning back-to-back wins to force the winner-take-all game.
"Just, I need to play better. Its not about how a defenseman or like a powerplay, whatever's going on, but I need to be better for this team and in this series."
In his end-of-season exit interview, Leafs general manager Brad Treliving seemed to indicate that Samsonov will not be back next season. The 27-year-old is on an expiring contract and will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. Given his words here, it seems like he's already made a decision as to whether or not the team will be re-signing him.
Treliving just tossed Ilya Samsonov not being resigned in there like onions in a salad 😂😂😂 #leafs #Leafsforever
Be sure to stay up to date with the Maple Leafs this summer as they look for a new goaltender to back up Joseph Woll.
Source: HouseofHockey
The Maple Leafs already took a decision regarding Ilya Samsonov
The Maple Leafs already took a decision regarding Ilya Samsonov
| POLL | ||
15 MAI | 580 ANSWERS Toronto Maple Leafs looking to move on from Ilya Samsonov this summer Do you think Ilya Samsonov will be a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs at the beginning of next season? | ||
| Yes | 80 | 13.8 % |
| No | 500 | 86.2 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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