A neutral arbitrator awarded Toronto Maple Leafs and former Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov a one-year, $3.55 million contract on Sunday afternoon. The club and player had a neutral arbitration hearing on Friday. The 26-year-old can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2024.
After Washington did not tender the pending restricted free agent last summer, Samsonov went 27-10-5 (tied for 11th in the NHL in wins) with a .919 save percentage (tied for sixth), 2.33 goals-against average (fifth), and four shutouts (tied for fifth) in just 42 games during his first season in Toronto.
Though, he posted an .898 save percentage and 3.13 goals-against average in nine postseason games before suffering a neck injury in Game 3 of Toronto’s five-game second-round loss to the Florida Panthers.
In 89 regular-season games over his three seasons in Washington, Samsonov went 52-22-8 with a .902 save percentage, 2.81 goals-against average, and six shutouts. He also posted a 1-6 record, .907 save percentage, and 2.98 goals-against average in eight postseason outings.
Washington drafted Samsonov 22nd overall in 2015.
By Harrison Brown