The Maple Leafs practiced Sunday at the Ford Performance Center.
At the end of practice Sunday, Sheldon Keefe pulled Ilya Samsonov aside for a chat.
“Just to lay out the plan for him,” the coach revealed. “He’s going to be busy and so it’s much more important that he takes care of himself and is ready for the extra load. He looked good yesterday. He has to be confident with the work he’s done and how he’s performed. I wanted to make sure he’s still smiling “.
We can confirm that the 25-year-old is still smiling from ear to ear.
“A couple of good wins,” said a beaming Samsonov. “We had some laughs.”
Sheldon Keefe texting Ilya Samsonov after practice
“Just laying out the plan for him. That he’s going to be busy and that’s why it’s so much more important that he takes care of himself and is ready for the extra load… and wanted to make sure he’s still smiling” pic.twitter.com/ MoLfEPdkVX
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) October 16, 2022
Samsonov has stopped 50 of 54 shots in a pair of wins to start his tenure in Toronto. With Matt Murray out for at least four weeks with an adductor injury, the first Russian goalkeeper to play for the franchise will now have a chance to establish himself as the go-to guy.
“Nothing changes for me,” Samsonov insisted.
How will he handle the pressure?
“Drive, like with a stick?” he joked as he made a stick handling motion. “I didn’t feel pressure. I had a great summer. I just keep working hard.”
The Washington Capitals opted not to extend a qualifying offer to their 2015 first-round pick over the summer, making him an unrestricted free agent. Samsonov then signed a one-year contract in Toronto.
“He had other opportunities,” Keefe noted. “He could have had more years. That was the fit he wanted. … Obviously, if you come here, you know what it’s all about in terms of what our team is trying to accomplish and in terms of playing in our market.”
Samsonov readily admits that this is the biggest challenge of his hockey career.
“It’s the first time I’ve changed teams in the NHL and in my life,” he said.
The smiling Samsonov accepts the biggest challenge of his career
Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov talks to the media about the biggest challenge of his career, facing his former team Washington and taking the top spot.
Samsonov has received advice from Capitals sharpshooter Evgeny Kuznetsov. The pair of close friends talk every day. There are no other Russian players on the Leafs’ roster.
“It’s not always easy coming to a new team when you might not speak the language as well as most of the players,” Leafs captain John Tavares said. “He’s contributing in a big way and that just helps with the confidence and integration in our team. Always with a smile on his face. He’s got a positive energy about him. The guys love his work ethic and his personality.” .
The work ethic was evident even after Sunday’s ice session.
“I just walked through the gym to come talk to you guys and he’s in there right now after playing last night and playing two games in the last three days,” Keefe said. “He’s out there putting in the extra work and that’s what it’s all about. If you want to be a consistent, reliable goaltender, you have to put in the work and he’s done that.”
Samsonov has only started 81 NHL games and his save percentage has declined in each of his three seasons from .913 to .902 to .896. But there’s a reason he was considered a top prospect not too long ago.
“Their size [6-foot-3, 214-pounds] and how well he can move and track the puck, you see his potential and why he was highly touted,” observed Tavares.
“You can see that skill he has,” Keefe agreed. “It’s up to us as an organization to help him be the goalie that he’s capable of being. He’s done his part in terms of listening, accepting the guidance and the work that’s been asked of him, and so far the results have been. It’s been a good season. It’s a long season and we have to keep working with him.”
The coach noted that Samsonov performed well in Washington’s loss to the Florida Panthers last season. Samsonov posted a .912 save percentage in five games against the NHL’s highest scoring team.
“We quickly lose sight of the fact that he played in the playoffs last year and faced the Presidents Trophy winners and did a good job and there was a moment where you thought that series might go to a other way and he was the net guy for it,” Keefe said.
If Samsonov plays to his potential in Toronto, he will likely have another shot at a Stanley Cup run. The stakes are high for the goalkeeper and the team this season.
“A very talented guy with a lot to prove,” Keefe said. “It’s a bit of a mission this season. Now the door is really open for him.”
Is there reason to worry about the Leafs’ goaltending tandem?
Craig Button joined SportsCentre to discuss Matt Murray’s LTIR impact on the Maple Leafs and his questions about the Senators defense.
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William Nylander missed Sunday’s skate.
“Willy had a maintenance day,” Keefe said. “He wasn’t feeling well.”
Nick Robertson skated in Nylander’s spot on the second line with Tavares and Denis Malgin. If Nylander is unable to play Monday, the 21-year-old is expected to make his season debut. Even if Robertson does not play against the Arizona Coyotes, he is expected to come in sooner rather than later. Older brother Jason Robertson will visit with the Dallas Stars on Thursday.
Robertson produced three goals and five assists in five preseason games.
“Nick was phenomenal,” Tavares said. “Just the complete game keeps coming together. When everything starts to come together, you know, the strengths of your game start to come out and that’s what really showed.”
What clicked?
“Just a little bit of calm and slow the game down a little bit,” observed Tavares. “Obviously, he can step it up and play at a high tempo and be dynamic when he wants to, but that’s the way it is. [about] not trying to go full all the time and have that awareness and feeling out there.”
Leafs Ice Chips: Nylander misses practice; Robertson skates with Tavares
Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe and captain John Tavares discuss forward Nick Robertson’s training camp and possibly entering the lineup tomorrow against Arizona. Mark Masters has more.
The waiver-exempt winger was sent to the American Hockey League backcourt because the cap-heavy Leafs couldn’t bring in additional players and didn’t want to risk losing the 25-year-old Malgin.
“Nick deserved to make our team with the effort and performance he had on the field and the growth he’s shown,” Keefe acknowledged. “Our group has been rolling here now. It’s up to the guys who have played to keep their spots. It’s up to Nick to keep the momentum going.”
Robertson, who scored for the Marlies in a game on Saturday, admits it was “a mental grind” the last week.
“It was definitely hard to fathom,” he said of the cap-related demotion, “but I just went ahead and tried to do what I do with the Marlies and luckily I’m here.”
The mindset now?
“I just keep proving myself,” Robertson said. “I have to win every day. I have to win every position. I have to play the same way I played in training camp: moving my feet and playing safe and simple.”
A classic Robertson rocket 🔥 pic.twitter.com/z6hnNQtPAr
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) October 15, 2022
“Hard to understand”: Robertson was initially cut because of the Leafs’ cap situation
After being recalled from the AHL, Nick Robertson describes how it feels to be back with the Leafs, explains how it was “hard to understand” being cut from the team before the season after having a strong training camp and shares his motivation to stay with the big club.
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With Murray on long-term injured reserve, the Leafs suddenly have the cap space available to bring back additional players. Defender Victor Mete and brave winger Wayne Simmonds joined Robertson in training.
“With that comes more competition and more responsibility,” Keefe said. “I think that’s healthy for our team. It keeps guys honest in terms of keeping their spot, whether you’re a guy that’s been playing or you’re a guy that’s been called up. … Competition is healthy. It was a tough thing to have 20 guys.”
The withdrawal caps an emotional week for the 34-year-old Simmonds, who has never played in the AHL in his career.
“You’re kind of shocked at first,” he said. “You’re shocked. But, it doesn’t matter. The games don’t stop. Life doesn’t stop. You’ve got to keep going. You’ve got to keep going, no matter what. You never know what’s going to happen. You’ve seen the whole league that’s there’s been a lot of injuries and a lot of teams that are playing short guys because of the salary cap. For me, it was just keeping my mind right, being ready and just working.”
After clearing waivers, Simmonds skated with Toronto’s development and return-to-play staff instead of joining the Marlies. Would you consider playing in the AHL in the future?
“I’m not saying it’s a no,” he said. “At this point in the season, I thought it was better for me to work on skills and make sure I was ready if an opportunity presented itself, so that’s what I chose.”
Simmonds wants to play on a contending team, and ideally that will be in Toronto.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’m here for these guys,” he said. “I have put my heart and soul into this team over the last…