Arbitration: Ilya Samsonov to earn $3.55 million in 2023-2024

We know the Leafs, they’re very tight financially. They have several players commanding high salaries and right now, according to CapFriendly, they’re the team with the largest payroll.

With the new developments regarding Ilya Samsonov, who is a restricted free agent, the payroll will increase even further. The goaltender will earn $3.55 million for next season alone. After that, he will be an unrestricted free agent (UFA).

This is the decision made by arbitrator Stepen Raymond.

Samsonov is $3.55M

– Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 23, 2023

On Friday, both sides went before the referee and put forward their arguments.

Samsonov was asking the Leafs for $4.9 million, but the team would only pay $2.4 million. 3.55 is therefore a little less than halfway between the two offers. The amount the goalie will earn for next season is therefore closer to the team’s offer.

A contract of more than three years, if arbitration is avoided, is highly unlikely → https://t.co/C25iuK5Mdn

– DansLesCoulisses (@DLCoulisses) July 19, 2023

In 42 games with the Toronto team, the Russian goaltender did well last season. He maintained a 27-10-5 record, a .919 save percentage and a 2.33 goals-against average. He was also the goaltender who helped the Leafs reach the second round for the first time since 2004.

In July 2022, the 26-year-old goaltender signed a one-season pact with Toronto, which paid him $1.8 million. He will therefore be entitled to a handsome increase of $1.75 million. With the arbitrator’s decision on this case, it will be interesting to see how much goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who is also an RFA and entitled to arbitration, will earn.

Will he be able to reach an agreement for the longer term during the season? Brad Treliving has a number of urgent matters to deal with, including Auston Matthews and William Nylander.

In gusto

– The Blackhawks and Philip Kurashev reach an agreement.

Arbitrator awards Philip Kurashev 2x$2.25M

– Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 23, 2023

– As touching as ever.

On July 20, the first performance of Cirque du Soleil’s Guy! Guy! Guy! in tribute to the blond demon who passed away a year ago.
Listen to @Guillet_CLaude talk about it with @mmcguirehockey...⬇️https://t.co/ibiGbZhsQX

– 98,5 Sports (@985Sports) July 23, 2023

– Patrick Kane or Evgeni Malkin?

Evgeni Malkin in the comment section on IG settling offseason debates 😂

(via IG/allhockeyculture) pic.twitter.com/cyaw8qmKNm

– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) July 23, 2023