On Monday, the Washington Capitals announced that they have re-signed goaltender Ilya Samsonov to a one-year contract. The deal is worth $2 million. Samsonov was a restricted free agent. He is scheduled to be a restricted free agent again next summer when this deal expires. The Capitals announced the deal via their social media.
NEWS | The Washington Capitals have re-signed goaltender Ilya Samsonov to a one-year, $2 million contract.
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 9, 2021
Ilya Samsonov Re-Signs With the Washington Capitals
The 24-year-old Russian goalie was expected to be the Capitals starting goalie last season but soon found himself in a timeshare with Vitek Vanecek. He also battled injuries. Overall, Samsonov played 19 games and posted a record of 13-4-1, with two shutouts, a 2.69 goals-against-average and a .902 save percentage during the 2020-21 season. Samsonov also made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut in Game 3 of the Capitals First Round Series against the Boston Bruins, stopping 40 of 43 shots. In three playoff games, Samsonov went 0-3 with a 2.99 goals-against average and .899 save percentage.
In his rookie NHL season in 2019-20, the 6’3″, 200-pound goaltender went 16-6-2 with a shutout, a 2.55 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. His strong play allowed the Capitals to walk away from unrestricted free agent goalie Braden Holtby last summer. The Capitals selected Samsonov with their first-round pick, 22nd overall, in the 2015 NHL Draft.
What this Means
Samsonov gets a one-year prove-it deal, with the Capitals hoping that he can re-find his form from his rookie year. He will compete for playing time with Vanacek once again. It appeared that Vanecek would be gone after he was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the Expansion Draft. However, the Capitals re-acquired the goaltender in a recent trade for a second-round pick. Samsonov will want to impress the Russian Olympic brass as well. He is competing with several Russian goalies for a spot on the 2022 Olympic Team.
Main Photo:
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 28: Goalie Ilya Samsonov #30 of the Washington Capitals follows the puck against the New York Rangers in the first period at Capital One Arena on March 28, 2021, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
