Capitals Letting Ilya Samsonov Go

The Capitals have decided not to send Ilya Samsonov a qualifying offer. As a result of this, the 2015 first-round pick will become a UFA.

This is certainly a surprising move, as Capitals GM Brian MacLellan said last week that the team would give Samsonov a qualifying offer. With that, they also already traded Vitek Vanecek to the Devils. Yet, it's clear that MacLellan and company have had a change of heart. Now, the Capitals' 2021-22 goaltending tandem is officially gone.

In 89 career games with the Capitals, Samsonov sported a 52-22-8 record, 2.81 GAA, and .902 SV%. Don't be surprised to see plenty of teams target the 2015 first-round pick once free agency begins. Let's see who Washington ends up replacing Samsonov and Vanecek with from here.

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