Former Toronto Maple Leaf shares how arbitration could impact teams relationship with Ilya Samsonov

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Josh Tupper
July 22, 2023 (12:37)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ilya Samsonov were unable to reach an agreement on a new contract before yesterday's arbitration deadline. The two parties instead elected to go forward with the hearing yesterday morning, with both sides presenting their case.

The sides were far apart on a new deal given their arbitration filings. Samsonov had requested $4.5 million, while the Maple Leafs countered with $2.5 million.

Many expected the team and player to come to an agreement. It seemed pretty straightforward that a two or three year deal in the 3.5 million range would make sense for both parties. However, they couldn't find common ground.

On Friday, former Toronto Maple Leaf Frank Corrado tweeted out the following:

Surprised Samsonov and the Leafs got to arb. Not ideal that the starting goalie for next year is going to have to hear about how bad of a goaltender he is for a few hours today from his own team. Not great for any player let alone a goalie. Both sides should've been able to figure it out.

Samsonov, 26, stole the Leafs starter job last season and led the team into the playoffs until being injured and replaced by Joseph Woll. Samsonov was 27-10-5 with a 2.33 goals against average, a .919 save percentage and 4 shutouts.

Former Maple Leafs player once said that after going to arbitration he felt like he "never wanted to play for that team again". The Leafs better hope that's not the case for Samsonov, because the Leafs have very limited options in goal.