Dead last, Ilya Samsonov is running out of time in Toronto

The Toronto Maple Leafs got a strong season out of first year Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov in 2022-23, and though the two sides would eventually find themselves in salary arbitration, the two sides settled on a one-year contract extension for this season with the hopes that he would be able to build off of last season’s playoff series win. 

It just has not materialized. Samsonov entered tonight’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets with a goals against average barely under four – and his performance tonight at Nationwide Arena against the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets isn’t helping his case. 

He allowed six goals on 21 Blue Jackets shots, which was capped by Johnny Gaudreau’s overtime winner to give Columbus the 6-5 triumph. Not only has Samsonov now allowed at least five goals in each of his last three outings, but he’s finding himself having made some unfortunate team history. 

According to Sportsnet, his save percentage through 15 games is the worst for a Leafs goaltender in 34 years:

“Ilya Samsonov’s .862 Save Percentage is the lowest by a Leafs goaltender through the first 15 starts of a season since Allan Bester in 1989-90.

It’s the lowest by any NHL goalie through 15 starts since Dan Cloutier (.862) in 2006-07.”

But the troubles for the Russian goaltender don’t stop there. His save percentage ranks absolute dead last in the National Hockey League among all net minders who have appeared in at least 10 games. 

“Of the 60 NHL goalies with at least 10 appearances this season, Ilya Samsonov is dead last among them with an .840 save percentage.

The #leafs are running out of time with him.”

Samsonov had better find his game quickly, or he could soon find himself up for grabs by any other NHL team via waivers or simply just not retained over the summer. 

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