Becoming a starting goaltender in the NHL is no easy feat, but for Ilya Samsonov, it was a dream he was determined to make a reality. After being drafted by the Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, the Russian-born goaltender took his talents overseas to hone his skills. After just four seasons, Samsonov has emerged as the top goaltender for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he credits his success to his dedication and the comfort he’s found on the ice. In this article, we’ll explore Samsonov’s journey to becoming the Maple Leafs’ No.1 goalie and how he’s found a sense of perfection in Toronto.
Ilya Samsonov, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ goaltender, is expecting fatherhood to bring numerous changes to his life. With less than two weeks since the birth of his first son, Miroslav, Samsonov hasn’t yet experienced most of the changes fatherhood brings. So far, it has just been sleep, poop, and eat for Miroslav. However, he knows that soon he will start communicating with his son in a meaningful way, where he can teach him about good decision-making.
Samsonov feels confident that his signing in Toronto as a UFA constitutes a good professional decision, something that he can present to Miroslav. Although Samsonov was a first-round pick in 2015, his time with the Capitals was rocky, and few expected his transition to Toronto to go as smoothly as it has.
Samsonov explains that he feels perfect in Toronto, something that no one would have predicted for a goaltender in Toronto. Through his time there, he has matured both on and off the ice, logging a .915 save percentage, which is tied for the 11th highest among NHL goalies this season.
Samsonov could come very close to matching his career-high for games in a season, thanks to his time in Toronto. With fellow Russian Andrei Vasilevskiy at the other end of the ice, the playoffs will provide Samsonov with the ultimate test.
Despite being self-proclaimed as a lone wolf, Samsonov’s laid-back attitude has endeared him to his teammates, who have been supportive of him throughout the season. Living with his wife downtown near the waterfront, where he enjoys sushi and walks, has added to his contentment. Samsonov feels comfortable in Toronto and the city feels the same way about him.
In conclusion, Ilya Samsonov’s journey to becoming the Maple Leafs’ No. 1 goalie is nothing short of impressive. From his early struggles in Russia to his perseverance and determination to succeed in the NHL, he has become a force to be reckoned with on the ice. With his passion for the game and his unwavering work ethic, it’s no wonder why he feels perfect in Toronto. We can only imagine what the future holds for this young star and we can’t wait to see him lead the Leafs to victory.
