Columbus Blue Jackets' Johnny Gaudreau, top, scores against Toronto Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov during overtime in an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
JJLThe Toronto Maple Leafs waived underperforming goalie Ilya Samsonov, and the Buffalo Sabres ended their three-goalie rotation by waiving Eric Comrie, a person with direct knowledge of the moves told The Associated Press on Sunday.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the teams have not announced the moves. Both players would land in the minors if they go unclaimed on Monday.
Samsonov’s .862 save percentage and 3.94 goals-against average are each the second-worst among goalies with at least 10 appearances. In his most recent action, he allowed six goals on 21 shots Friday in a .
Samsonov acknowledged struggling mentally after he allowed five goals and 19 shots before getting pulled 1:03 into the second period of a on Dec. 21.
“I need to figure out everything in my head,†Samsonov said. “That’s the first (thing). It’s not about technique. It’s not about, you know, it’s not about nothing. Just in the head.â€
The 26-year-old Russian is 5-2-6 in his second season with Toronto after the Washington Capitals opted not to tender him a restricted free agent offer in the summer of 2022. Samsonov went to arbitration with the Leafs last offseason and was awarded a $3.55 million contract, $1.15 million of which comes off their salary cap if he’s sent to the minors.
Buffalo, meanwhile, eases its roster logjam by waiving Comrie. The move frees up a valuable roster spot with forward Zemgus Girgensons ready to return from injured reserve after missing the past 17 games.
Sabres goalies Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and 22-year-old rookie Devon Levi have moved ahead of Comrie on the depth chart, splitting starts over the past 10 games.
Comrie has an .863 save percentage and 4.01 goals-against average in seven appearances. The Sabres have lost the past six games Comrie has started. He has especially struggled since returning from a lower-body injury in mid-November, with a league-worst .827 save percentage and 5.17 goals-against average in four losses.
In his first season with the Sabres, Comrie had a 9-9-1 record with an .886 save percentage and 3.67 goals-against average. He signed a two-year, $3.6 million contract with Buffalo after a career season in 2021-22, when he went 10-5-1 with a .920 save percentage and 2.58 goals-against average for Winnipeg.
___
AP NHL:
The ºÃÉ«tv Press. All rights reserved.
Canada is entering a new era of nation-building. From clean-energy corridors and c…
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
