The Toronto Maple Leafs Must Make a Change in Goal
The time has come for the Toronto Maple Leafs to make a change in goal. It is clear that continuing to play Ilya Samsonov would be a disservice to the team, his teammates, and the coaching staff led by Sheldon Keefe.
This was evident in their recent game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Despite dominating the game and winning 73 percent of the expected goals, the Leafs still lost in overtime due to Samsonov’s poor performance. He allowed six goals on just 21 shots, including a clean shot from Adam Fantilli that tied the score at five.
Samsonov has been struggling in his recent starts, allowing a total of 21 goals in his last four games. In fact, he has allowed 52 goals in just 15 starts this season, averaging almost 3.5 goals against per game. He has been unable to stop even the most routine shots, making it extremely difficult for the Leafs to win when he is in net.
If Joseph Woll was not injured with a high-ankle sprain, Samsonov likely would not be playing at all right now. The Leafs would have three goalies on their roster, with Woll and Martin Jones carrying the load. However, with Woll out for an extended period of time, the Leafs are limited in their options. The current third goalie, Dennis Hildeby, is a rookie in the AHL and is not ready for NHL action.
Despite their reluctance to play Hildeby, the Leafs have reached a point where they have no choice but to give him a chance. They can start him in one of their upcoming games against the Anaheim Ducks, who are one of the league’s lowest-scoring teams. This will allow them to see how Hildeby performs and determine if they need to explore other options.
General Manager Brad Treliving should also consider exploring the trade and free-agent markets to find a temporary solution until Woll is ready to return. They need someone who can share or even take over the net if necessary. Jones, at 33 years old, is not the ideal candidate for that role. Woll has shown promise but lacks experience and has struggled with injuries.
One potential option could be Jaroslav Halak, a free agent who could provide short-term stability in goal. Coach Sheldon Keefe acknowledged that Treliving will consider all options to address the team’s goaltending situation.
As for Samsonov, the Leafs can either assign him to the Marlies on a conditioning stint or place him on waivers. With his current performance and a cap hit of $3.55 million, there is a good chance he will clear waivers. This could give him an opportunity to rebuild his game away from the spotlight and pressure of the NHL.
In conclusion, the Leafs cannot continue to rely on Samsonov in goal. They must make a change to give themselves a better chance of winning games. Whether it’s giving Hildeby a chance or exploring other options in the trade or free-agent markets, the Leafs need to find a solution soon. Their success this season depends on it.