The Toronto Maple Leafs placed goaltender Ilya Samsonov on waivers, and the Buffalo Sabers ended their three-goalie rotation by making a similar move with Eric Comrie.
This is what a source directly informed of these two maneuvers told the Associated Press on Sunday.
The person in question spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity since neither the Maple Leafs nor the Sabers had made the announcement.
Both goalkeepers could be assigned to the minor leagues if they are not claimed on Monday.
Among goaltenders with at least 10 games played, Samsonov has the second-worst goals-against average, at 3.94, and the second-worst save percentage, at .862.
In his most recent outing, Friday, he gave up six goals on 21 shots in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Samsonov admitted to struggling mentally following a 9-3 loss to the Sabers on Dec. 21, in which he gave up five goals on 19 shots.
“I have to resolve this in my head,” the guard had said. This is the first step. It’s not my technique. It’s just in my head. »
Samsonov and the Maple Leafs went to arbitration after last season, and the goaltender was awarded a one-year contract, worth $3.55 million. If he plays in the minor leagues, 1.15 million will be released from the team’s salary cap.
For the Sabres, the move with Comrie helps free up a spot for the return of forward Zemgus Girgensons, who has missed the last 17 games.
The Sabers already have Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi, ages 24 and 22 respectively, to defend their net.
In seven games this season, Comrie has posted a 4.01 goals-against average and a .863 save percentage. The team has lost its last six games with Comrie as the starting goalie.
