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

[Nik]

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.

[Rob]

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]

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.

[Rob]

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.

[Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate]

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?  :P

[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.