The San Jose Sharks welcomed back a familiar name to the crease with veteran Ilya Samsonov signing a one-year two-way deal. It’s a late-season trick that might not get the internet going, but it will make heads turn. Having bounced around the league in recent years and picked in the first round in the past, Samsonov has another chance to prove his ability in North America.
For Samsonov, it’s yet another redemption story in the making. He split-did a few seasons with the Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vegas Golden Knights before last season, when he spent the entire campaign in the KHL with HK Sochi. He had a reset button offered by Russia, and a desire to play at the top level of hockey doesn’t seem to fade away. Coming back to North America on a two-way deal shows real humility and a genuine drive to earn his spot back.
Looking at the numbers, Samsonov is far from an unknown quantity. He has 200 NHL regular-season games and 118 wins to his name and will add real big-league experience to a team that will be looking to build into the future. He did his best in Toronto last season, posting a 0.919 save percentage, and he had a 27-0-5 record. When he is dialled in, he can lock down a game with incredible athleticism and natural instincts.
The Sharks’ move from a top to a bottom line makes a lot of sense. Yaroslav Askarov and many other young players that San Jose now have between the pipes for their long-term plans create a lot of competition when you add in a veteran with low risk and high reward. It’s a two-way contract, meaning the front office has all the options. They can let Samsonov get comfortable at the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda or call him up to the big club when they need him.
Hockey loves a good 2nd-chance story, after all. Samsonov has a chance to get hot and prove his worth once again. The Sharks also get a reliable goaltending prize, one that is a proven goaltender and one that doesn’t take up long-term roster space. It’s a win-win situation, and how Samsonov handles this new start in the Bay will be a tale to be enjoyed throughout the season.
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