Ilya Samsonov: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Some days, the NHL waiver wire is just roster housekeeping. And then there are days when you look down the list and think, “Wait a minute. I watched these guys.” Sunday was one of those days.

NHL News / Professor Press Box / September 27

Ex-Maple Leafs Ilya Samsonov Hits Waivers: What’s Next?

Well, here’s a name Toronto Maple Leafs fans might remember. Ilya Samsonov was placed on waivers Sunday by the San Jose Sharks, just a couple of weeks after signing a one-year, two-way contract with the club.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Editor In Leaf / September 9

Former Leafs goaltender gets surprising NHL comeback after Toronto disaster

An old friend has made a return to the NHL, signing a contract with the San Jose Sharks just days before training camps open around the league. Ilya Samsonov, has signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Sharks this week after spending last season in the KHL.

Washington Capitals News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Most goals in NHL history' quiz

How many of the 22 players in NHL history with at least 600 career goals can you name in five minutes?

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The '2026-27 NHL captains' quiz

The ''EA NHL,'' covers since 2000' quiz

NHL News / Yardbarker

The best and worst NHL free agency deals since 2000

The NHL has had an interesting new millennium. It was a league sans a salary cap when the 2000s started… and then the owners locked the players out for an entire season.

Ilya Samsonov News / Pro Hockey Rumors / September 8

Veteran goaltender Ilya Samsonov returns to NHL on two-way contract

This deal offers Samsonov a return to the NHL after spending last season with HK Sochi of Russia’s KHL.

The 'Single-playoff goal leaders' quiz

NHL News / Daily Faceoff / September 8

Sharks sign Ilya Samsonov to one-year contract

A familiar name is returning to the NHL. On Tuesday, San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier announced that the team has signed goaltender Ilya Samsonov to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2026-27 season.

NHL News / NHL Trade Talk / February 9

Whatever Happened to ex-Maple Leafs Goalie Ilya Samsonov?

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.

Vegas Golden Knights News / Daily Faceoff / November 1

Former NHLer Ilya Samsonov signs two-year deal in KHL

A longtime NHL netminder is heading home. On Saturday, HK Soshi of the Kontinental Hockey League announced that they have signed goaltender Ilya Samsonov to a two-year contract.

NHL News / NHL Trade Talk / November 1

Former Maple Leafs Goalie Ilya Samsonov Signs With New Team

After seven seasons in North America, 28-year-old Ilya Samsonov is returning to the KHL. He has signed a two-year deal with HC Sochi, as announced by the league on Saturday morning.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The defining figure for every NHL franchise

People will talk about the “Mount Rushmore” for a franchise, which is to say the four people, usually four players, that most define the franchise. Not always the four-best players, but the four that evoke the essence of the franchise.

Edmonton Oilers News / The Hockey Writers / September 25, 2025

Edmonton Oilers Should Sign Ilya Samsonov to a PTO

As the preseason gets into full swing and the season draws nearer, rosters are beginning the process of taking shape. Teams can still add players that are unsigned and give them a shot to make the team or at least find a spot in the system.

NHL News / Daily Faceoff / September 25, 2025

Ranking all 32 NHL goalie tandems for 2025-26

Is it more valuable to have one dominant goaltender or two very good ones? It depends on the time of year. Come the postseason, there’s a correlation between trusting one bellcow starter and winning the Stanley Cup.

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The 'Most 3-HR MLB Playoffs' quiz

The 'NFL most receiving-1st downs' quiz

The 'Last 2-rushing-TD duos by team' quiz

The 'Most TD's through four games' quiz

Edmonton Oilers News / NHL Trade Talk / August 2, 2025

Could Oilers Bring in a Unsigned UFA Backup on a PTO?

As NHL teams finalize training camp invites, the Edmonton Oilers could be considering a familiar name for a professional tryout (PTO): goaltender Ilya Samsonov.

Calgary Flames News / Flamesnation / July 24, 2025

Should the Flames sign Ilya Samsonov for extra goaltending depth this season?

There was no better story last season than the dominance Dustin Wolf displayed in his first full NHL campaign. Now, the support Wolf will get heading into his second full season is up in the air at this time.

NHL News / TheLeafsnation / July 21, 2025

Around the NHL: Samsonov, Roslovic remain unsigned, Wheeler retires, Blue Jackets GM ‘surprised’ by trade request

Welcome back to another summer edition of Around the NHL. The NHL’s free agency period is now three weeks old and surprisingly, there’s still plenty of talent left on the open market.

NHL News / Pro Hockey Rumors / July 11, 2025

Jack Roslovic, Matt Grzelcyk, Victor Olofsson among top remaining UFAs

Our list of top 50 UFAs saw many of its top names land a “re-signed” designation before the 2025-26 league year even began. Now, 10 days into free agency, 44 of those players have signed new contracts, leaving just six without deals.

Edmonton Oilers News / Oilersnation / July 3, 2025

Friedman: Oilers set to change goalie coaches, trying to find new backup for Stuart Skinner

As the Edmonton Oilers have continued to evaluate the goaltending market, it’s becoming clearer what the team is looking to do. Rumours have swirled about the team making changes after falling in the Stanley Cup Final, where the team’s goaltending was a letdown.

NHL News / NHL Trade Talk / January 11, 2025

Ex-Maple Leafs Goalie Samsonov: Shaken Strange Mental Blocks

Honestly, if you were any kind of a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, it was hard not to root for beleaguered goalie Ilya Samsonov. During his time in Toronto, Samsonov was an enigma.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / TheLeafsnation / May 7, 2024

Ilya Samsonov wants a long-term contract, it’s not likely coming from the Maple Leafs

After playing the past three seasons on one-year contracts, Ilya Samsonov wants a long-term deal this summer. This isn’t something the Toronto Maple Leafs are likely interested in.

NHL News / Yardbarker / May 5, 2024