Ilya Samsonov sends clear message to Maple Leafs management over contract situation 

Following an early playoff exit, goaltender Ilya Samsonov sent a message to the Toronto Maple Leafs regarding his contract status.

Samsonov expressed his preference for a longer-term commitment from the organization, pointing out that short-term contracts have taken a toll on him:

"The last couple of years, seriously, the last three years, I'm just working with one (year) deal contract. It's not too easy. It's not too easy for me. You think about it," he told the media.

"It doesn't matter if you're still human or it doesn't matter how your confidence level or something. You still think about this. I think I want to get some more stability. Maybe this will be nice if we get a couple of years or a three-year contract. It's true. This will be good for my family," Samsonov added.

Following a period of uncertainty that saw him placed on waivers and subsequently assigned to the Toronto Marlies, Samsonov worked diligently with coaches and consultants to regain his form and confidence.

He returned to the Leafs lineup, ultimately earning the starting role for the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

As an unrestricted free agent, Samsonov will likely catch the eye of teams aiming to reinforce their goaltending lineup.

Los Angeles Kings eye goaltender Ilya Samsonov

After being ousted from the playoffs by the Edmonton Oilers, the Los Angeles Kings face crucial decisions in the offseason. Their primary concern lies in goaltending, with uncertainty surrounding their starting goalie for the upcoming season.

With a sparse goalie market, the Kings might look to Ilya Samsonov, who has shown glimpses of brilliance but occasional troubles during his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Given his preference for stability, the Kings might sign him for a reasonable price, possibly around $3.5 million per year for two to three seasons.

GM Rob Blake needs to address their goaltending situation to propel the team deeper into playoffs next season.