clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Report: Maple Leafs to sign goalie Ilya Samsonov

Toronto will bring in the young goaltender, who was let go by the Capitals.

By Benjamin Zweiman Updated
 Ilya Samsonov #30 of the Washington Capitals looks on against the Florida Panthers during the third period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on May 13, 2022 in Washington, DC. Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to sign goalie Ilya Samsonov in free agency, per reports. Samsonov was let go by the Washington Capitals this week when the team opted not to qualify him with an offer. Samsonov went from being a restricted free agent to UFA, being able to sign with any team at noon ET on Wednesday. He’s set to join the Maple Leafs, who are undergoing an overhaul at goalie this offseason.

The Leafs finished with 115 points and in second place in the Atlantic Division with Jack Campbell as the primary goaltender. Petr Mrazek was the backup and played in 20 games, but it was mostly Campbell carrying the team along with center Auston Matthews. Now, the Leafs will enter the 2022-23 season with Samsonov and Matt Murray as the goaltenders.

Samsonov was once regarded as the top goalie prospect in the NHL. He went 23-12-5 with a 3.02 GAA with a .896 SV% for the Capitals last season. His best season was as a rookie in 2019-20, when he went 16-6-2 with a 2.55 GAA and .913 SV% in the shortened season. Samsonov is a RFA so he’ll need a new deal. He’s also only 25 years old with plenty of time to develop into a starter.

More From DraftKings Network