The Ilya Samsonov Experiment In Vegas Has Failed Miserably

The Ilya Samsonov Experiment In Vegas Has Failed Miserably

Not all one-year prove it contracts work out. If you’re looking for examples of exactly that, look no further than Ilya Samsonov. The Samsonov experiment in Vegas is a massive fail and it’s evident that the Golden Knights need to move on.

Let’s backtrack and work our way to today. Logan Thompson requested a trade and the Golden Knights traded him to Washington for two third round picks. One of which is in this upcoming draft in 2025. The other pick was used on goalie prospect Pavel Moysevich. If Moysevich pans out, the trade will be just fine for Vegas. If not, moving on from Thompson will prove to be a massive mistake. Thompson, 28, has a 28-4-5 record with Washington this year and a SV% of .916.

Bringing in Samsonov was a worthwhile gamble. It just hasn’t paid off. The Russian netminder was a former first round pick by Washington but really struggled to find his footing. After one really good year and two bad years, Washington moved on. The Leafs picked him up. It was one really good year followed by two bad years. Toronto placed him on waivers in the middle of last season.

That leads us to now. This was put up or shut up time for Samsonov. The track record Bruce Cassidy has at producing high quality goalie seasons speaks for itself. The success with the Bruins says everything you need to know. Pretty much every goalie that’s worked under Cassidy in Vegas has played well too.

When Samsonov first joined the VGK, I remember his initial interview (can’t find the video but I know it’s out there somewhere) about how he talked about how easy the system is on the goalie. That he works hand and hand with the defense and can clearly see the puck coming unlike his previous stops. That he felt confident that he could perform given how easy his new life was going to be in Vegas. In reality, it’s hard to be really bad with the defense core that Vegas has. If it’s not the best in the league, it’s damn close along with the fact that Cassidy is a defensive-minded structured head coach.

That brings us to today. Samsonov is coming off another stinker of a start giving up three goals on 17 shots against the terrible Penguins. Here is what Cassidy said post-game.

It’s not the first time Cassidy has called out Samsonov. It was hard not to do so after he gave up FIVE GOALS TO CHICAGO.

On the season, Samsonov has a .889 SV%, which is good enough for 46th place among qualified NHL goalies. That’s out of 56 goalies. Again, with the Vegas D and system in front of him.

The guy is pretty close to unplayable and there is no shot he can be counted on during a playoff series. If the VGK are going to win another Stanley Cup, they’re going to have to ride Adin Hill again to the Promise Land. Kelly McCrimmon is a fantastic GM but this one was a miss. When the offseason hits, Vegas needs at least one new goalie (and maybe two). Bringing Samsonov back next year is a non-starter. The guy officially sucks and there isn’t much to say beyond what I have already.

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