Goaltender Ilya Samsonov placed on waivers by Maple Leafs following poor performances in 2023-24 season

Ilya Samsonov has not enjoyed a great time with the Maple Leafs this season and currently has a poor 5-2-6 record.

Goaltender Ilya Samsonov placed on waivers by Maple Leafs following poor performances in 2023-24 season

Ilya Samsonov (Image via The Hockey News)

As the world got ready to celebrate the New Year and welcome 2024 with a bang, some shocking development came from the Toronto Maple Leafs camp. Following his poor performances this season, the team has now placed goaltender Ilya Samsonov on waivers.

The 26-year-old goalie has not at all enjoyed a good time at the ice field. He was once again under the spotlight for his poor showing in Leafs’ 6-5 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

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He enjoyed a great first season with the team. After his success in the 2022-23 season, the team would sign him on a one-year, $3.25 million deal through arbitration.

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At the start of the 2023-24 season, he was hoping to establish himself as the undisputed No.1 goalie for the Maple Leafs. However, Samsonov has been unable to produce the heroics of last season. He currently has the worst save percentage at .862 and a high 3.94 goals-against average in the NHL this season. This led to the team taking some actions which has now seen him land on the waivers.

What is next in store for Ilya Samsonov after being waived away from the Maple Leafs?

A professional player finding themselves on waivers is one of the worst feelings for them. This move usually comes after the player struggles to make the desired impact expected from them. For Ilya Samsonov, this is exactly what has gone down as he has not been able to produce the same kind of performances he had last season.

Ilya Samsonov
Ilya Samsonov in action (Image via TSN)

The Russian goalie is currently 5-2-6 for the season. His struggles were clearly seen in his side’s huge 9-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres recently. The goalie conceded five goals through the 19 shots and was later pulled from the game in the second period. Following this development, the big question that now arises is, what is next in store for him?

As per reports from the Associated Press, the goalie would land in the minors if no team claims him on Monday. A move to the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs AHL affiliate could see him try and regain his form back.

The goalie recently acknowledged the poor form he was in and claimed he needed to figure out what was going on in his head. 

I need to figure out everything in my head. That's the first [thing]. It's not about technique. It's not about, you know, it's not about nothing. Just in the head.
Ilya Samsonov on his performances as per the Associated Press.

The poor form of the team does not rely on him only though. Several big names on the team have struggled with performances. While star forward, Auston Matthews has led the attacking line, the other players of the team have gone quiet leading to fans urging for the removal of coach Sheldon Keefe.

Keefe himself has criticized some of his players including Mitch Marner for their poor performances this season. The team right now is third in the Atlantic Division but has suffered three losses on the bounce. They are now hoping to start the new year with some positives as they take on the LA Kings in their first game of 2024.

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