John Tavares ADMITS Leafs ‘didn’t play better’ as Ilya Samsonov reports to AHL after underperforming 2023-24 season

Captain John Tavares reveals Leafs' true feelings on the ongoing crisis as Ilya Samsonov clears waivers and reports to AHL.

John Tavares ADMITS Leafs ‘didn’t play better’ as Ilya Samsonov reports to AHL after underperforming 2023-24 season

John Tavares and Ilya Samsonov [Image Credit: HockeyFeed]

Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares opened up about ongoing circumstances around goalie Ilya Samsonov. He said that the team “feel for Sammy”, admitting that “we just didn’t play better.” The 26-year-old recently reported to the American Hockey League affiliate Toronto Marlies after failing to produce positive results in the ongoing 2023-24 season.

Compared to last season’s 2.77 GAA, and .903 save percentage, Samsonov enjoyed a 3.94 GAA (goals against average) with a .862 save percentage in a 5-2-6 record. The goalie earlier in October admitted suffering from mental struggles and has been unable to recover so far. The team is hoping his time off from the NHL spotlight will help him both mentally and professionally.

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Samsonov stated “I feel sh*t” but “I will (be) fighting every day” as “I know I’m better goalie than this.” The team captain John Tavares also backed Samsonov that they’ll be waiting for him, hoping the goalie can rejoin the team soon once again. In a recent X post, he said:

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As a team and individually, you’re disappointed…We love him as a teammate. So definitely feel for him.
John Tavares as per X.

Leafs call on Dennis Hildeby from AHL as Ilya Samsonov clears waivers

Dennis Hildeby, the 6-foot-7 Toronto Marlies goalie, has been called to fill in as Maple Leafs goaltender in the absence of both Ilya Samsonov and Joseph Woll. Although Hildeby is not NHL-ready, he is excited to be part of such a big organization, “feel like I’ve done something good to get this callup.”

Ilya Samsonov and Dennis Hildeby [Image Credit: Sportsnet/Daily Faceoff]
Ilya Samsonov and Dennis Hildeby [Image Credit: Sportsnet/Daily Faceoff]

Coach Sheldon Keefe revealed that during practice games, Auston Matthews easily blew a puck past Hildeby. “Still has a lot to learn,” Keefe said. The team is willing to “do everything possible” to help both Samsonov and Hildeby inform their game.

...removing him from the situation to focus solely on himself and his game. From my perspective, he’s a good goalie and has played a lot of good hockey for us and we have to do all we can to try to get him back.
Sheldon Keefe on Ilya Samsonov as per The Hockey News.

Now it’ll be up to Ilya Samsonov to get himself up both mentally and professionally. Despite the hole the goalie left in the lineup, fans are hoping he can join back soon from the AHL affiliate. What lies in the future and if he’ll be able to join within the ongoing regular season is yet to be seen.

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