Ilya Samsonov of the Toronto Maple Leafs has been selected by the PHWA as the group’s Bill Masterton Trophy nominee. The NHL player who best demonstrates tenacity, good sportsmanship, and commitment to ice hockey receives this award. Its name derives from the fact that Bill Masterton is the only NHL player to have died directly from an injury.
Each NHL team is allowed to submit one nominee, and the Maple Leafs had some excellent options, including Mark Giordano, who came back to the team after a brief hiatus following his father’s passing. Another is Ryan Reaves, who appeared to be nearing the end of his NHL career before making a turnaround. Even the 27-year-old NHL rookie Bobby McMann is a wise pick, yet it is more fitting that Samsonov was selected.
Why did Samsonov do this?
During the most recent NHL season, have you ever heard of a goalie who was completely unrecognisable, performed terribly, got cut, and then found his way back to the net? I have never, ever seen something like this. And that’s what Samsonov did. He was put on waivers so that all 31 NHL teams would have an opportunity to consider him, but none of them did. He was down and out, lost, and hopeless. He was anticipated to take a mental vacation rather than suit up for the Toronto Marlies when he reported to the American Hockey League (AHL). He needed to declutter and return to the fundamentals.
That’s when he realised visit from his parents from Russia, and he and his dad had a heart-to-heart, and Samsonov realized that he couldn’t give up on himself. He worked hard and was called back on Jan. 10, 2024, after being sent down on Dec. 31, 2023, and was allowed to start against the Detroit Red Wings. Much to the chagrin of the Maple Leaf fan base, after how he was playing before the turn of the calendar, it seemed like no one wanted him to rejoin the team.
But he did, and he made the most of every second. His act was a reflection of the heart he carried into every conflict and play. He was blocking pucks that would have otherwise gotten past him and even making desperate saves, the kind that only confident goalies can make. When none else in the fan base or organisation seemed to, he had faith in himself. Because of his perseverance, he has emerged victorious over the crease going into the playoffs, and the PHWA has nominated him for the Masterton Trophy. He should be commended for the amazing work he has done this season.
Sammy’s Ascent
Samsonov and Joseph Woll appeared to have the potential to be one at the beginning of the season.the better tandems in the NHL that didn’t include a top-tier goalie. The expectation was that they were good enough to win games, or so the team thought. While Woll was playing very well, Samsonov struggled terribly, in his first 15 starts he had a record a 5-2-6 record accompanied by a .862 save percentage (SV%), and a 3.94 goals against average (GAA). He was playing some of the worst hockey of his career and showed why the Washington Capitals could have opted to leave him unqualified.
