Ilya Samsonov News

Just one week after clearing waivers and being assigned to the Marlies (AHL), the Maple Leafs reversed their transaction, reassigning Dennis Hildeby to the Marlies. Samsonov's reassignment to the Marlies was originally intended so that he could re-find his form, but given that he did not make it into any game action in the AHL, it is unclear if the Maple Leafs have recalled him because they intend him to play or so that Hildeby can get some game-action before being recalled again. In any event, the Maple Leafs will be rolling with Martin Jones and Ilya Samsonov as their goaltending tandem for the time being.

Samsonov cleared waivers and has been loaned to the Toronto Marlies (AHL) as he tries to recover his game. The 26-year-old who carries a $3.5 million cap hit heads to the AHL for the first time since 2020-21 where he appeared in four games with the Hershey Bears. Samsonov was waived originally by Toronto due to his poor 5-2-6 record, 3.94 GAA and .862 SV%.

Samsonov has served as the backup to the Maple Leafs' third-string goaltender, Martin Jones, in four of the last games but will get the opportunity to reassert himself in a favourable matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday. Samsonov has been abysmal when called upon lately, allowing four or more goals in each of his last three contests (0-1-2), posting an ugly .819 SV%. Samsonov allowed six goals on 35 shots (.829 SV%) in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Blue Jackets two weeks ago.

Samsonov has lost two straight contests and, as a result, served as the backup to Martin Jones in the last two games for the Maple Leafs. That said, Samsonov will return to the crease on Thursday in an attempt to get back into the win column. Samsonov has been extremely inconsistent all season, highlighted by his last two appearances (0-0-2), in which he allowed 10 goals combined and sported an ugly .844 SV%. The Maple Leafs are coming off their first regulation loss in nearly a month and are -135 road favourites against a Buffalo Sabres team that was handily defeated 9-4 on Tuesday.

Samsonov has lost two straight contests and, as a result, served as the backup to Martin Jones in the last two games for the Maple Leafs. That said, Samsonov will likely return to the crease on Thursday in an attempt to get back into the win column. Samsonov has been extremely inconsistent all season, highlighted by his last two appearances (0-0-2), in which he allowed 10 goals combined and sported an ugly .844 SV%. The Maple Leafs are coming off their first regulation loss in nearly a month and are -135 road favourites against a Buffalo Sabres team that was handily defeated 9-4 on Tuesday.

Samsonov served as the backup in the back end of a back-to-back in the Maple Leafs last game but will return to the crease on Thursday and likely be the undisputed starting goalie for the team as long as Joseph Woll is out of the lineup. The 26-year-old Samsonov has been wildly inconsistent this season but has been significantly better lately, collecting points in each of his last five games (3-0-2) and boasting a .916 SV%. The Maple Leafs are overwhelming -239 home favourites on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have lost four of their last five (1-3-1).

An injury to Joseph Wall thrust Samsonov back into the crease on Saturday after not playing in five games, but the Russian netminder played one of his best performances of the season, saving all 18 shots he faced in a 4-0 win over the Nashville Predators for his first shutout. Samsonov has been wildly inconsistent this season, posting a 3.21 GAA and .886 SV% through 11 games (5-1-3), but will hope his most recent performance can spark a string of solid play. The Maple Leafs are -116 road favourites on Monday against a New York Islanders team that is suddenly scoring at a high rate, scoring three or more goals in each of their last six contests (4-1-1).

Samsonov has not played since Nov. 24th and will remain out of the Maple Leafs' lineup Thursday vs. Ottawa due to illness. The 26-year-old goaltender has uncharacteristically struggled mightily this season, with his 4-1-3 record, 3.58 GAA and .878 SV%. Martin Jones has been recalled in a corresponding move.

The Maple Leafs' goaltending carousel continues Friday as Ilya Samsonov takes the crease Friday in Chicago. The 26-year-old goaltender has struggled mightily in 2023-24, with his 4-1-2 record, .878 SV%, and 3.56 GAA. He draws the Chicago Blackhawks on the road Friday, who have lost five straight and are 31st in the NHL in goals (2.53) and in shots on goal (26.9).

Samsonov will start in the first of two games for the Maple Leafs in Sweden as part of the NHL Global Series. Samsonov has struggled on a whole this season, registering a 3.79 GAA and .870 SV% through eight appearances (3-1-2) but is coming off one of his stronger performances of the season, saving 31 of 33 shots in a 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. The Maple Leafs are -174 favourites as the road team in Sweden against a Detroit Red Wings team coming off a 5-4 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators last night.

Samsonov will likely start in the first of two games for the Maple Leafs in Sweden as part of the NHL Global Series. Samsonov has struggled on a whole this season, registering a 3.79 GAA and .870 SV% through eight appearances (3-1-2) but is coming off one of his stronger performances of the season, saving 31 of 33 shots in a 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. The Maple Leafs are -174 favourites as the road team in Sweden against a Detroit Red Wings team coming off a 5-4 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators last night.

Samsonov was pulled after allowing four goals on 12 shots in the Maple Leafs' come-from-behind win over the Lighting on Monday. Joseph Woll started the last two games but Samsonov will start the second-half of their back-to-back on Saturday. He gets set to face a Canucks team that is on a five-game winning streak and lead the NHL in GF/60 (4.52).

After seemingly losing the starting crease early in the season, Joseph Woll's recent struggles have re-opened the door for Samsonov to make his mark. Samsonov is coming off his best performance of the season, saving 38 of 40 shots in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins. The Maple Leafs are -150 home favourites against their rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are 4-1-3 in their last eight contests. On October 21st, Samsonov was pulled after allowing three goals on four shots to the Lightning in the first period, a game the Maple Leafs ultimately won 4-3 in overtime.

After seemingly losing the starting crease early in the season, Joseph Woll's recent struggles have re-opened the doors for Samsonov to make his mark. Samsonov is coming off his best performance of the season, saving 38 of 40 shots in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins. The Maple Leafs are -150 home favourites against their rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are 4-1-3 in their last eight contests. On October 21st, Samsonov was pulled after allowing three goals on four shots to the Lightning in the first period, a game the Maple Leafs ultimately won 4-3 in overtime.

Joseph Woll suffered his worst performance of the season, allowing four goals on 27 shots in a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday and as a result, the team will turn back to Ilya Samsonov on Thursday night. In five games (2-1-1), Samsonov has an unimpressive 3.99 GAA and .841 SV% and won't have the luxury of easing his way back into form as the Maple Leafs take on the only Eastern Conference team without a regulation loss, the Boston Bruins (8-0-1).