Leafs sign Samsonov [1 year, $1.8mil AAV]

[L K]

Murray + Samsonov with Kallgren/Woll waiting in the wings is a lot more tolerable.  I'm still not thrilled at the cost of Murray on the cap but it is what it is.  Definitely going to have to be some moves to free up some space to make some additions.  This should take us out of the running to sign Strome unless he wants a similar 1-year discount contract.

 

[Bender]

Murray + Samsonov with Kallgren/Woll waiting in the wings is a lot more tolerable.  I'm still not thrilled at the cost of Murray on the cap but it is what it is.  Definitely going to have to be some moves to free up some space to make some additions.  This should take us out of the running to sign Strome unless he wants a similar 1-year discount contract.

I think I like this better than what Campbell would've cost + Mrazek.

 

[Omallley]

That seems like really good value - I love the potential he has...but man...we're banking on both goalies having a rebound season, eh?

 

[bustaheims]

I think I like this better than what Campbell would've cost + Mrazek.

Edmonton giving Campbell 5 years when he really has no reliable track record is quite the gamble. Would not have been comfortable committing to him for that long.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Sportsnet still talking about how the Leafs are questionable defensively and play and run and gun. Love getting hockey analysis from 4 years ago.

 

[bustaheims]

Sportsnet still talking about how the Leafs are questionable defensively and play and run and gun. Love getting hockey analysis from 4 years ago.

Once they latch on to a narrative, they just can't let it go. TSN hasn't been better about that today, either.

 

[Omallley]

I think I like this better than what Campbell would've cost + Mrazek.

Edmonton giving Campbell 5 years when he really has no reliable track record is quite the gamble. Would not have been comfortable committing to him for that long.

They have enough contracts with term that I feel confident saying at least one of them is going to look terrible in a couple years.

 

[Joe S.]

Has twitter given us the official explanation as to why this is a terrible signing?

Oh and a reminder that the leafs haven't gotten out of the first round? This is important information that I need to be told.

 

[princedpw]

I know goalies are voodoo, but doesn't an .896 save percentage last year seem pretty bottom-of-the-league terrible?  Wouldn't we rather have Comrie for 2 years at the same price?

 

[Joe S.]

I know goalies are voodoo, but doesn't an .896 save percentage last year seem pretty bottom-of-the-league terrible?  Wouldn't we rather have Comrie for 2 years at the same price?

Isn?t this basically a coin flip? I can?t see how you can say one is clearly superior over the other.

One thing I did notice is this samsonov has triple the amount of games played and is 2 years younger. So there?s that.

 

[Kin]

I know goalies are voodoo, but doesn't an .896 save percentage last year seem pretty bottom-of-the-league terrible?  Wouldn't we rather have Comrie for 2 years at the same price?

For a guy who's got 28 NHL games played in total? I would not be very confident in what he could be at all.

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

Has twitter given us the official explanation as to why this is a terrible signing?

Oh and a reminder that the leafs haven't gotten out of the first round? This is important information that I need to be told.

And a reminder to plan the parade. 

 

[princedpw]

I know goalies are voodoo, but doesn't an .896 save percentage last year seem pretty bottom-of-the-league terrible?  Wouldn't we rather have Comrie for 2 years at the same price?

For a guy who's got 28 NHL games played in total? I would not be very confident in what he could be at all.

@Nik, Iafrate

Samsonov - 89 games total and a .902 career save percentage
Comrie - 28 games and .905

Ok, I see what you are saying -- they are both pretty meh.  Too bad meh costs 1.8 million.

 

[Bullfrog]

I'm happy with this signing. I've wanted him for a long time. He's not a elite goalie, but he makes me feel a lot more confident than Kallgren or ..... ? Hutchinson?

 

[Joe S.]

I know goalies are voodoo, but doesn't an .896 save percentage last year seem pretty bottom-of-the-league terrible?  Wouldn't we rather have Comrie for 2 years at the same price?

For a guy who's got 28 NHL games played in total? I would not be very confident in what he could be at all.

@Nik, Iafrate

Samsonov - 89 games total and a .902 career save percentage
Comrie - 28 games and .905

Ok, I see what you are saying -- they are both pretty meh.  Too bad meh costs 1.8 million.

I don?t get what you?re saying. Wouldn?t you think that anything above a ?meh? would cost more that 1.8mil?

That?s a completely reasonable amount for this type of player.

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

Leafs were down two Ilyas so they needed to add one. 

 

[herman]

Leafs were down two Ilyas so they needed to add one.

 

[L K]

Samsonov did put up a respectable .912 SV% in the playoff this year.  I think Samsonov hung out with Kuznetsov a lot.  Maybe he can better focus away from the coke heads?  Not sure what the reputation is within our roster for drug use.

 

[ZBBM]

Samsonov did put up a respectable .912 SV% in the playoff this year.  I think Samsonov hung out with Kuznetsov a lot.  Maybe he can better focus away from the coke heads?  Not sure what the reputation is within our roster for drug use.

The question is, has he served in Putin's Army of Liberation yet and can we confirm that he is (or is not) physically in North America? 

 

[herman]

Didn't post this when the signing happened
https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2022/07/13/toronto-maple-leafs-sign-goaltender-ilya-samsonov-one-year-1-8-million/

Ilya Samsonov Scouting Report
via McKeen?s Hockey 2021-22 Yearbook

One of the strongest parts of Samsonov?s game is his skating speed, which can see him fluidly get across the crease in a single push even from a wider, lower stance. But even though he plays with speed that can keep up with the play in front of him, Samsonov?s inclination to hold himself lower and drop to his knees faster ? even while still in motion ? can burn him when doesn?t slow down to read the play in front of him and wait for puck releases. He can get caught overshooting his marks or dropping too fast before a shot, leaving holes open in his net even when he?s got the speed to compensate for it, which was exacerbated all the more by a nasty bout with Covid-19 last season that made it difficult for the goaltender to walk or breathe.

Similar to his draft scouting report, Samsonov is reliant on his athleticism and could stand to benefit from a developing a technical approach and layering his reactionary capabilities to put him over the top.