Ilya Samsonov, the Leafs’ goalie, can recover from this bleak situation. It is not too late.Being an NHL goalie is not easy these days.
Previously, clubs without a star goaltender were not considered Stanley Cup contenders. However, the notion of depending on a great goaltender to carry a team deep into the playoffs appears to have faded for a lot of NHL teams, including the reigning Stanley Cup champions.
Carey Price signed an eight-year contract with an annual salary of $10.5 million (U.S.) in Montreal six years ago. Just two years later, Florida offered Sergei Bobrovsky a $10-million average, and teams have appeared to be less hesitant to place such a high value on the position. Even Connor Hellebuyck swiftly signed on the dotted line when he understood teams like New Jersey wouldn’t pay anywhere near Winnipeg’s $8.5-million average. It’s not a bad contract for Hellebuyck, but it’s evident that his position may no longer be seen as the ultimate key to a title.
Several rule changes have contributed to the goaltender’s demise, as evidenced by a steady decline in save percentage from its peak of.915 during the 2015-16 season to just.903 last season: more penalty calls to create power plays, the removal of the red line, and no defensive substitutions after icing. It’s all contributed to more offense. Not to mention the trapezoid area, which was created following the 2004-05 lockout and is intended to penalize goalies for being too good at handling the puck. A restriction that restricts a developed skill may be the most insulting of all.
Not to mention the league’s persistent threat of bans and fines for goalies who failed to simplify their equipment so they can’t stop.
