By: Justin Gincauskas

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Sunday that they placed goaltender Ilya Samsonov on waivers.

The move comes after Samsonov allowed six goals on just 21 shots in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Dec. 29. Samsonov is in an obvious slump, and the Maple Leafs can longer afford to lose games while trying to get his confidence back. In his last four starts, Samsonov allowed 21 goals on 104 shots.

In 15 games played this season, Samsonov has a record of 5-2-6. He is currently on pace to have the worst season of his career by a wide margin.

Last year with Toronto, Samsonov had a 2.33 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage, which was the best season of his career. This year, those numbers have significantly worsened, as Samsonov has a 3.94 goals-against average and a .862 save percentage.

Samsonov is on a one-year, $3.55 million deal with Toronto, which he was awarded after contract arbitration in the offseason.

Ilya Samsonov was drafted 22nd overall in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals. He played with the team for three seasons from 2019-22 before signing a one-year, $1.8 million contract with the Maple Leafs in the summer of 2022. Samsonov has appeared in 57 games since joining Toronto.

Samsonov has a record of 84-34-19 in 134 starts in his NHL career. He has a goals-against average of 2.77 and a .903 save percentage.

Samsonov was the clear number-one goaltender for the Maple Leafs last season, starting 40 games. Toronto did not want to give up on the 26-year-old, making his leash as long as possible, but the Maple Leafs needed to make the move in the end.

If Samsonov clears waivers, he will report to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. The team will work with him on and off the ice in hopes of building his confidence and game back.

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