Huge gap in contract negotiations between Maple Leafs and Samsonov!

The Toronto Maple Leafs and restricted free agent goaltender Ilya Samsonov will meet for his arbitration hearing on Friday, July 21, unless they reach an agreement on a new deal before then.

However, with new information provided by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, there is a huge gap between what the team is willing to offer and what the goalie seeks. Both parties can continue their ongoing contract negotiations until Friday, but Friedman reports the arbitration filings on Wednesday morning:

“Ilya Samsonov (TOR). Team: $2.4M; player $4.9M.”

This is quite a chunk of money for the Maple Leafs and new GM Brad Treliving, who is likely still attempting to trade veteran goalie Matt Murray before the second buyout window opens. That window doesn’t open for Toronto until after Samsonov’s arbitration decision or settlement agreement.

Last season, Samsonov had a career year registering a 27-10-5 record with a 2.33 GAA and .919 SV%. He led the Maple Leafs past the Tampa Bay Lightning for the team’s first playoff series victory in 19 seasons.

There is still time before Friday’s arbitration hearing between Samsonov and Toronto, though something huge needs to happen to get both sides closer in numbers.

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