Ilya Samsonov news

[Rodgort]

Well at least ONE top Russian prospect should come over in 2018-2019 haah

Igor Eronko 2h2 hours ago

Ilya Samsonov to @DariaTuboltseva: It's a dream to play with Ovi, Kuznetsov and Orlov. And I don't believe #Caps are cursed

@IgorEronko 2h2 hours ago

Ilya Samsonov to @DariaTuboltseva: I'm ready to play in the AHL if it's needed. Goalie should play all the time, it's not a step back

@IgorEronko 2h2 hours ago

Ilya Samsonov to @DariaTuboltseva: Talked to #Caps, it was a positive dialogue. There're 5-6 goalies in the system I need to outplay

[ericdaoust]

Those are good quotes for people waiting for his arrival but I just have trouble taking players at their word.

[Rodgort]

Those are good quotes for people waiting for his arrival but I just have trouble taking players at their word.

With Russians and Washington, I do not, as Ovi is pretty idolized there. i think most (if not all) would want to play with him if they had the chance

[Dennis]

darn, I was hoping to get some use out of Pheonix Copley before he came over.

[ericdaoust]

With Russians and Washington, I do not, as Ovi is pretty idolized there. i think most (if not all) would want to play with him if they had the chance

Sure, but that's an assumption we all make regardless of his quotes.

[The Bottlenecker]

Until he lands in Washington, I won't believe he is coming.

[Dennis]

Caps GM Brian MacLellan meeting with prospect Ilya Samsonov in Russia
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...=.f8a36b90949e

Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan is in Russia meeting with prospect Ilya Samsonov as part of a push to get the goaltender playing in North America next season, according to a source familiar with the situation.

[Axeman33]

Coming to Washington and stealing the job from one of the games best in Holtby are two different things. Even if he's in Washington, I doubt he's fantasy relevant for a few years at best.

[ericdaoust]

So they'll trade Grubauer before then and Samsonov will come in to play the Grubauer role for a couple years...

[Jouko-Pouko]

So they'll trade Grubauer before then and Samsonov will come in to play the Grubauer role for a couple years...

Samsonov has been a backup goalie in the KHL, so for his long-term development, it would be better to have him in the AHL playing a lot of games. He's just 20 years old, so perhaps even 2 full years in the AHL would be needed.

[ericdaoust]

Samsonov has been a backup goalie in the KHL, so for his long-term development, it would be better to have him in the AHL playing a lot of games. He's just 20 years old, so perhaps even 2 full years in the AHL would be needed.

If he's up for that then sure.

[Dennis]

I'd expect Pheonix Copley (one-way contract starts next year) to be the back-up for the next couple years once Grubauer is moved. After that Holtby and Backstrom will be UFAs in 2020. The Caps will have to be creative if they want to resign them both, Ovi, Kuz, Oshie, Niskanen, & Orlov will be eating up just under half the salary cap.

[Jouko-Pouko]

If he's up for that then sure.

Vasilevski spent two years splitting time between the AHL and the NHL, so I don't know how Samsonov could imagine anything different. It's a bit different for guys like Sorokin and Shestyorkin who are absolute superstars in the KHL and a bit older as well - those guys probably wouldn't be willing to spend two years in the AHL. But as said, Samsonov is just a backup goalie in the KHL, so his expectations should be reasonable.

[ericdaoust]

Vasilevski spent two years splitting time between the AHL and the NHL, so I don't know how Samsonov could imagine anything different. It's a bit different for guys like Sorokin and Shestyorkin who are absolute superstars in the KHL and a bit older as well - those guys probably wouldn't be willing to spend two years in the AHL. But as said, Samsonov is just a backup goalie in the KHL, so his expectations should be reasonable.

You're probably right, although what athletes *should* do and what they do can end up being two different things.

[finnys_fanatsy]

Nothing to see here....move on.

If this was another team that didn't have a Holtby..then this might be a situation worth watching.