The Washington Capitals have re-signed goalie Ilya Samsonov to a one-year, $2 million contract, the team announced. After re-signing Alex Ovechkin to a five-year deal, Samsonov was the remaining in-house free agent for the Capitals to ink.
Last week, the 24-year old opted not to file for arbitration. It was a wise move given his shaky status with the team following a tumultuous second season. Last season, Samsonov’s off-the-ice issues came to light after he landed twice in COVID-19 protocols.
As a result, Samsonov was limited to 19 games during the regular season. He posted a 13-4-1 record in 18 starts. He had a 2.69 goals against average with a .902 save percentage.
It was a far cry from the emerging rookie season he had in 2019-20 in which he went 16-6-2 with 22 starts backing up Braden Holtby. Samsonov was expected to get the keys turned over to him in 2021, but COVID-19 protocols and off-ice hiccups forced him to take a backseat to rookie Vitek Vanecek.
With leverage lost, signing a bridge contract will allow him overcome inconsistencies as a professional. It also gives the Capitals time to sort out their goaltender situation. Samsonov will be a restricted free agent again next summer.
Washington re-acquired Vanecek for a future second-round pick after the Seattle Kraken selected him in the expansion draft last month. Vanecek started 36 games last season with a record of 21-10-4. In 2021, Vanecek was pretty much the 2020 Samsonov for the Capitals.
A leg injury in Game 1 of the playoffs sidelined Vanecek. Samsonov was ultimately cleared to takeover in net by Game 3. However, he lost all three postseason starts with an .899 save percentage.
Bridging Ilya Samsonov, the Capitals get another view of the two. Having two young but potentially solid netminders gives Washington hope their goalie of the future is already on the roster.
