Maple Leafs Shockingly Recall Ilya Samsonov From AHL

It appears as though Ilya Samsonov's stint in the AHL was short-lived as the Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled him. He was in the minors for a total of nine days and didn't play a game, just worked on his game away from the team.

The @MapleLeafs have recalled G Ilya Samsonov from the @TorontoMarlies.

G Dennis Hildeby has been loaned to the Marlies.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) January 10, 2024

While Samsonov didn't play a game in the AHL, Dennis Hildeby, who was recalled in place of Samsonov, didn't get into a game for the Maple Leafs, despite the team playing the San Jose Sharks twice and playing a back-to-back during the nine days.

The Maple Leafs must feel like they have helped Samsonov fix some of the issues he was having and given him the break away from the team he needed to reset. The Maple Leafs do need two goalies right now even though Martin Jones has been great for them. Eventually the numbers are expected to drop and Joseph Woll is still without a timetable to return.

Unless Samsonov plays better than Jones moving forward, there is still a very good chance that Samsonov is sent back down to the AHL once Woll returns from his injury. On the season, Samsonov has a 5-2-6 record with a 3.94 goals against average and a .864 save percentage. Even though he has one shutout on the season, his goals saved above expected is -13.3. Woll and Jones combine for 18.4. Samsonov has allowed four or more goals in eight of his 15 starts and has been pulled twice. It is interesting that the recall came so soon and without giving Hildeby a shot in a game, but we will have to see how it plays out.