Two Notable Goaltending Names Placed On Waivers

Big moves made today by the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Buffalo Sabres, as each team has placed a beleaguered netminder on waivers.

Placed on NHL waivers today: Eric Comrie (BUF) and Ilya Samsonov (TOR).

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) December 31, 2023

In Toronto, Ilya Samsonov has been extremely shaky this season, losing the No. 1 goaltender's role earlier in the season, and has allowed 17 goals in his last three games. A trip to the AHL (assuming he clears waivers—and with a $3.55M cap hit, it's almost a certainty) is really the only thing the Leafs can do right now to try to get the veteran's confidence back. 

Overall, Samsonov has posted a 3.94 goals against with an .862 save percentage. He's a shell of himself from last season, when he posted a 27-10-5 mark with a 2.33 GAA and .919 Sv%.

Martin Jones has filled in admirably for the Leafs in net, while Joseph Woll is out for a while, and Samsonov struggled. But the team will now have to make a move.

In Buffalo, Comrie went down to injury in late October and has struggled mightily since coming back. He'd fallen well behind in the three-goalie system in Buffalo, and hadn't played since a 5-3 loss to Detroit on Dec. 5. Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will continue to share the duties between the pipes for the Sabres.

Overall, Comrie sits with a 1-5-0 mark, a 4.05 GAA and an equally untenable .863 Sv%. Comrie's cap hit is $1.8M, and it'll be intriguing to see if he is claimed off waivers. 

Photo: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports