Photo: Last Word On Sports
The Washington Capitals announced on Monday afternoon that they have signed restricted free agent goaltender Ilya Samsonov to a one-year, $2 million contract.
After going 16-8-2 with a .913 save percentage, a 2.55 goals-against average, and one shutout in his rookie season, the 24-year-old went 13-4-1 with a .902 save percentage, a 2.69 goals-against average, and two shutouts last year in an inconsistent season where he was placed on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol twice.
Samsonov, who is currently the Capitals’ lone restricted free agent, also went 0-3 with an .899 save percentage and a 2.99 goals-against average in the team’s first-round series loss to the Boston Bruins in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Samsonov is coming off of his entry-level contract, which paid him $925,000 in each of the past three seasons (plus bonuses).
The Capitals now have $668,740 left in cap space with a need of a left-handed defenseman, so perhaps there could be a trade(s) to clear cap space in the near future.
Samsonov, who can become a restricted free agent on July 1, was taken 22nd overall by the Capitals in the 2015 NHL Draft.
By Harrison Brown
Sounds about right. I like the prove it deal and he and VV can fight it out again. This will give the Caps a chance to see who can really be the goaltender moving forward.
Very reasonable price.
I like this signing and this let’s the Caps judge whether he or VV should really get the longterm starter position. Nice work GMBM.
I am not sure there will be a trade but could see Hags moved and replaced by a farm hand… that clears 2 M$
Not sure why you would move Hagelin before Kempny. They make almost the same amount. Hags is at least valuable on PK and has world-class speed (something Caps really need). Kempny is a shell of the player he used to be.
I wonder how tradeable Kempny is. With two serious injuries in such a short period of time, we aren’t even sure if he can play.
Agree. Plus, Caps would probably have to move out yet another draft pick or prospect along with Kempny for someone to take him. I have checked and if they bury him in Hershey, it would save half of his salary so that would be an option.
half his cap hit I mean. 😉