Report: Maple Leafs Putting Strict Limits on Samsonov Extension Talks

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ilya Samsonov have two days before their arbitration hearing on Friday. Today they exchanged figures, with the goaltender asking for $4.9M and the Leafs offering $2.4M. That's quite a gap. 

But what we've also learned is that, while the two sides try to negotiate a multi-year deal in advance of the hearing, the Leafs are putting a strict limit on term in any contract with the 26-year-old netminder. 

According to Insider Elliotte Friedman, Toronto is not interested in anything longer than a three-year deal. 

"The Maple Leafs have made it clear they do not want to go long-term with him," said Friedman on NHL Network. "They're looking at a shorter term deal, just maybe three years max."

Samsonov emerged as the Leafs' top goaltender this past season, going 27-10-5 with a 2.33 goals against average and a .919 save percentage. He even backstopped the Leafs' first playoff series victory in 19 years, when they knocked off the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games. 

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