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Whatever Happened to ex-Maple Leafs Goalie Ilya Samsonov?

Ilya Samsonov’s NHL ride had highs, lows, and a whole lot of pressure. Now he’s back in Russia—trying to steady his career on his own terms.

by
Old Prof
February 9, 2026

For a couple of years, Ilya Samsonov was one of those players Toronto fans couldn’t help talking about. Some nights it was because he stole a game, other nights because you could see frustration (almost despair) all over him. He never hid anything, which is why fans felt like they knew him. He became a fan favourite.

Now he’s back in Russia after a one-year try with the Vegas Golden Knights. Can he settle his career down again? Who knows?

Samsonov’s Wild Ride in Toronto

Samsonov’s two seasons with the Maple Leafs were all over the place. When he first came, he was like a breath of fresh air. Calm in the crease, jovial during interviews, and a great teammate. The guys liked him in the room.

His first season, in 2022–23, was everything the organization could’ve asked for. His solid play seemed like the answer to the team’s hopes. That season, he put up a .919 save percentage, totalled 27 wins, and played a huge part in beating the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was the team’s first playoff-round win in 19 years.

But he was also the kind of guy who carried everything on his shoulders. If the team had a bad night, he took the heat. He never threw teammates under the bus, even when he easily could’ve. And that’s where the pressure in Toronto really started to squeeze him. His game slipped the following season, and once it started, he couldn’t seem to pull himself out of it. You could see the mental wear and tear, almost more than the on-ice issues.

Off the ice, life was changing fast too — he and his wife had a child, and by all accounts, they genuinely liked Toronto. If things had played out differently, he probably would’ve stayed long-term. But between arbitration, tough stretches, and the market noise that never shuts up, it just stopped being a good fit.

Ilya Samsonov signs KHL — Ilya Samsonov has signed in the KHL.

Samsonov’s Quick Stop in Las Vegas

When he landed in Las Vegas, it felt like a fresh start. And honestly, he wasn’t bad there. Sixteen wins in 29 games is nothing to shrug at, and he gave the Golden Knights solid backup goaltending. But the goalie market last summer was brutal, and when free agency hit, he just didn’t get a contract offer.

He was caught in the market squeeze. Sometimes timing is more crucial than talent. And that’s how it was with Samsonov.

Back in the KHL, How Is Samsonov Doing?

So now Samsonov’s in the KHL with HC Sochi. The numbers look like a mixed bag — a .906 save percentage and a 3–7–0 record in his first 12 games. But a look at the HC Sochi team’s roster shows he’s the backup goalie. There, he’s playing steady minutes and trying to rebuild in a league where nobody’s picking apart every little thing he does.

Samsonov didn’t quit on the NHL. He didn’t lose his game. His time here was a mix of pressure, expectations, and a personality that maybe felt too much in a market that never stops staring at its goalies. Now he’s home, playing, and probably breathing a bit easier.