Caps sign goaltender Ilya Samsonov to a three-year entry-level contract

The Washington Capitals have signed goaltender Ilya Samsonov to a three-year entry-level contract that will begin in the 2018-19 season. Samsonov’s contract will carry an average annual value of $925,000 per The Washington Capitals twitter account.

 

Samsonov played in 26 games for Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the KHL. Samsonov had 12 wins, a 0.926 sv%, a 2.31 gaa, and three shut outs. In those 26 games Samsonov went 12-9-1. He was the 1B on one of the better KHL teams, but like most KHL teams they value experience. As good as Samsonov has been and will continue to be, he still took a back seat to a veteran starter. He has already informed the Capitals that he will come play in North Amrica for the 2018-2019 season, and is fine developing in the AHL as long as he gets playing time.

Samsonov has the ideal size that NHL teams are looking for in goaltenders. Samsonov stands in at 6’4″ and 203 pounds.  Samsonov makes the most of that size, coming out to challenge on plays, and reducing the amount of net that forwards have to shoot at. He is very athletic, resulting in him being able to make some ridiculous saves.

Expect Samsonov to get a long look in rookie camp and Capitals training camp, but in the end be sent to Hershey for a full season in the chocolate and white.

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