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The Maple Leafs continue to assess Ilya Samsonov with caution — and for good reason.
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The Leafs recalled the veteran goaltender from the Toronto Marlies on Wednesday, but it still could be a while before we see Samsonov in the Leafs net. Assuming, of course, that it actually happens at some point.
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Samsonov, who practised with the Leafs on Wednesday, will back up Martin Jones in New York against the Islanders on Thursday. In a corresponding move, the Leafs sent goalie Dennis Hildeby back to the Marlies.
Regarding Samsonov, there is nothing certain regarding a full-time return to the Leafs.
“It was really just a chance for us to get him in here, get him back into practice with us, get him back on the ice with (goalie coach) Curtis Sanford and see where he’s at,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. “It’s partly about that. But it’s equally, if not more, about Dennis Hildeby.”
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Hildeby did not get into a game with the Leafs after he was recalled last week and has not played since Dec. 30 with the Marlies. After getting a day off on Wednesday, Hildeby will practise with the Marlies on Thursday and play for them on Friday night at home against Belleville, Keefe said.
With the Leafs playing at Scotiabank Arena against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday and the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday, it’s possible Hildeby could be recalled to play against the Wings. Also on Sunday, the Marlies play during the afternoon in Belleville, which could set up as a start for Samsonov. Jones could also start both weekend games.
What would it take for Samsonov, who has been working with Marlies goalie coach Hannu Toivonen since clearing waivers on Jan. 1, to get another start with the Leafs?
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“You want to see him play with confidence in the net,” Keefe said. “Right now, all we have to go off are his practices. You want to see him practise well and have good habits and you want to see him have life about him and confidence. We’ll reassess after Friday.”
The Leafs chose to not make Samsonov available to media after practice. As teammates including captain John Tavares answered questions regarding Samsonov within earshot, the goalie took off his equipment and quietly left the dressing room.
“Part of what he’s going through is physical, but more of it is mental,” said Keefe, who spoke after Samsonov departed. “You guys are fine people, but when you’re going through something, (questions from media) doesn’t help, it hurts.
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“We’re here to help and support the player. The time will come when you’ll get a chance to speak to him, but we’re trying to do everything we can to get the player back to being himself. Bringing him back to throw him out here and have to answer all sorts of questions is not conducive to the goal.”
Said Tavares: “We think the world of him, we love him as a teammate and it was just great to see him back out there.”
The Leafs have been getting by rather well with Jones, who was named the National Hockey League’s second star of the week on Monday. Jones made 22 saves on Tuesday as the Leafs beat the San Jose Sharks 7-1 at Scotiabank Arena for their fourth consecutive victory.
Joseph Woll has been on the ice for some individual drills as he recovers from a high ankle sprain, an injury he suffered on Dec. 7 in a game in Ottawa, but he is not expected to return to the Leafs lineup soon.
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Jones is 8-3-0 with a .934 save percentage. Samsonov is 5-2-6 with an .862 save percentage. Among the 57 goalies who have played in at least 13 games this season, Samsonov is 56th in save percentage. Only Antti Raanta of the Carolina Hurricanes, at .861, is worse.
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As Jones goes about his business and Woll works to return, the Leafs will continue to do all they can to ensure Samsonov is getting the proper help and instruction, on the ice and off.
“I think he was very appreciative of how we’ve handled it the last bit and how he’s been able to work with Hannu,” Keefe said. “It was a combination of spending time alone, working on his game, lots of time in the gym, lots of time to clear his head and go through the mental side of it.
“He got a good practice with the Marlies (on Tuesday). Those types of reps are important for him.
“He’s going through it right now. We’ve got to help him through that, but also he’s got to help himself. In the meantime, we have to continue to do what’s right for Hildeby in his development.”
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2024-01-10 19:14:03Z
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