G Ilya Samsonov (2015, 22nd, WSH)

[CaseyMitts37]

I wouldn't mind using our 21st pick on him, if not I hope he falls into the 2nd round

 

[NHL Dude 120]

He probably wanted to complete his university exams instead.

Ah of that's the case I can't really fault him.

 

[wings5]

He probably wanted to complete his university exams instead.

97s are already in University in Russia?

 

[malkinfan]

Fans and media seem to always have to find a goalie to place in the first round. Samsonov is imo the best goalie in the draft, so it makes sense that he's the one they zeroed in on. I don't think he's quite good enough to be using a 1st on myself, but it takes a lot for me to want to use a 1st on a goalie prospect (Vasilevski was probably the last one).

Yes agreed but that comment is from the guy who has special conventional wisdom on all of the Russian players, always has some greater insight, you didn't know of him? - the chosen one

The reason why Samsonov is rated a 1st round prospect is quite obvious. He has been lights out at the international events this year. At the U-18s there was a game where US outshot them like 60-20 and they still won 4-1. It was easily the best goaltending performance of the tournament (won best goalie of the tournament). Was lights out at the U19s as an underager at the tournament. Scouts were raving about his performance there, some video podcast of the scout somewhere on the internet to back this up - Ill try to dig it up.

 

[Paxon]

Yes agreed but that comment is from the guy who has special conventional wisdom on all of the Russian players, always has some greater insight, you didn't know of him? - the chosen one

The reason why Samsonov is rated a 1st round prospect is quite obvious. He has been lights out at the international events this year. At the U-18s there was a game where US outshot them like 60-20 and they still won 4-1. It was easily the best goaltending performance of the tournament (won best goalie of the tournament). Was lights out at the U19s as an underager at the tournament. Scouts were raving about his performance there, some video podcast of the scout somewhere on the internet to back this up - Ill try to dig it up.

Don't get me wrong, I get it with Samsonov. I think he's maybe the best goalie prospect of the past few drafts (since Vasilevski). I'm just not big on drafting goalies in the 1st round unless they are a Vasilevski-type prospect. It looks like my team (the Sabres) are actually considering him at #21. If they do I won't be upset, but it's not what I would do.

 

[Gary Bettman Fan]

Tim Murray (Sabres GM), said on the radio that he is pretty much guaranteeing that they will draft a goalie this year, and they are looking at #21 and #31 to do it. He also mentioned that Samsonov is a guy that they are looking at in that area.

Here is the link (starts around 18:45)
http://media.wgr550.com/a/106130101/6-4-sabres-gm-tim-murray-loves-halo.htm?pageid=28473

 

[Paxon]

Tim Murray (Sabres GM), said on the radio that he is pretty much guaranteeing that they will draft a goalie this year, and they are looking at #21 and #31 to do it. He also mentioned that Samsonov is a guy that they are looking at in that area.

Here is the link (starts around 18:45)
http://media.wgr550.com/a/106130101/6-4-sabres-gm-tim-murray-loves-halo.htm?pageid=28473

He said he pretty much guarantees that we will draft a goalie. He then separately talks about the possibility of using #31 or #21 depending on who else is there (i.e. which skaters high on their board fall) and, one assumes, whether the one or two goalies they're very high on are there. He's not really implying they will draft a goalie that high, just that they will draft a goalie. He also touches on the talks he's involved with to acquire a young NHL goalie. If he makes such a trade then you can pretty much write off the idea of drafting a goalie high.

 

[Bps21*]

In the same interview he said he is looking at trading for a young goalie, and told every team looking at moving guys to call him before they finalize another deal to see if he will beat it...that he's open to getting an older goalie for 3 years and waiting for prospects to emerge...and that they would almost definitely draft a goalie somewhere in the draft...possibly high depending on what else is out there (and btw he talked about wanting to move 21 either in a trade up or for a young player in the same interview).

...

Anyone who wants to honestly take something out of all of that and say...hey Murray is saying this... Murray said everything. You can only claim he's saying "this" it if you ignore everything else.

 

[Gary Bettman Fan]

He said he pretty much guarantees that we will draft a goalie. He then separately talks about the possibility of using #31 or #21 depending on who else is there (i.e. which skaters high on their board fall) and, one assumes, whether the one or two goalies they're very high on are there. He's not really implying they will draft a goalie that high, just that they will draft a goalie. He also touches on the talks he's involved with to acquire a young NHL goalie. If he makes such a trade then you can pretty much write off the idea of drafting a goalie high.

That's what I said, he didn't say he was guaranteeing they will draft one at #21 or #31, but that they are guaranteeing they will draft one, and are considering doing it at that spot, and Ilya Samsonov is a guy they like around that area.

 

[Gary Bettman Fan]

In the same interview he said he is looking at trading for a young goalie, and told every team looking at moving guys to call him before they finalize another deal to see if he will beat it...that he's open to getting an older goalie for 3 years and waiting for prospects to emerge...and that they would almost definitely draft a goalie somewhere in the draft...possibly high depending on what else is out there (and btw he talked about wanting to move 21 either in a trade up or for a young player in the same interview).

...

Anyone who wants to honestly take something out of all of that and say...hey Murray is saying this... Murray said everything. You can only claim he's saying "this" it if you ignore everything else.

He did, but I was just stating the part that applied to Ilya Samsonov, since this thread is dedicated to him. My intention wasn't to take things out of context, I just didn't think people would care about the parts of them possibly acquiring a goalie through trade. I mentioned this mainly to show the interest of where Samsonov might go in the draft, and I find it interesting that he publicly acknowledged that this was a player they were looking at in that area.

 

[Bps21*]

He did, but I was just stating the part that applied to Ilya Samsonov, since this thread is dedicated to him. My intention wasn't to take things out of context, I just didn't think people would care about the parts of them possibly acquiring a goalie through trade. I mentioned this mainly to show the interest of where Samsonov might go in the draft, and I find it interesting that he publicly acknowledged that this was a player they were looking at in that area.

It wasn't directed at you. I've seen the "Murray might" game being played all over and it's based on only parts of an interview where he lays out a bunch of conflicting scenarios.

For instance...I don't think he wants to pick at 21 at all. He hopes he can either move up or package it for a proven ready young guy. And I think it takes precedence over the Samsanov part of the story. You can't draft a guy with a pick you don't have.

But...like everything else...it was just a part of his thinking he shared anyway...and I'm just attributing value to the one I've picked.

 

[timlap]

Fans and media seem to always have to find a goalie to place in the first round. Samsonov is imo the best goalie in the draft, so it makes sense that he's the one they zeroed in on. I don't think he's quite good enough to be using a 1st on myself, but it takes a lot for me to want to use a 1st on a goalie prospect (Vasilevski was probably the last one).

I would have agreed, but McKenzie's NHL scouts have Samsonov safely in the 1st round, which means it's not just fans and media anymore. The hype for him seems to have come on late and basically out of nowhere.

 

[Woodhouse]

Sabres GM Tim Murray mentioned in his pre-draft presser today that scouts from multiple teams were in Detroit to watch Samsonov this week. Murray wasn't concerned about Samsonov's combine absence or his KHL contract either.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Never seen a GM be so open about a mid-late 1st round pick candidate.

 

[Anthony Mauro]

I would have agreed, but McKenzie's NHL scouts have Samsonov safely in the 1st round, which means it's not just fans and media anymore. The hype for him seems to have come on late and basically out of nowhere.

Samsonov looked dominant in December 2014 at the WJAC tournament and was ranked 41 in the DraftBuzz Mid Year Report released in early January. He then went on to do the same at the 5 Nations and U18 tournaments.

Final ranked 34, I wouldn't hesitate to take him in the first round if I were leading a team looking for a goalie. I could justify as high as 19.

 

[couture23]

Never seen a GM be so open about a mid-late 1st round pick candidate.

He is the top ranked goalie, though.

 

[tfong]

Sabres GM Tim Murray mentioned in his pre-draft presser today that scouts from multiple teams were in Detroit to watch Samsonov this week. Murray wasn't concerned about Samosonov's combine absence or his KHL contract either.

What was going on in Detroit this week that Samsonov was at?

 

[Woodhouse]

What was going on in Detroit this week that Samsonov was at?

I'm not sure. Is Samsonov's agent Detroit-based, like a Larionov or someone? It also could've been his first week of availability to work-out/interview for teams or maybe there was a camp or something. Murray did add that the Sabres sent two scouts for three days to spend some time with him. He also noted: big athletic guy .. was a great interview .. has a good head on his shoulders .. knows his own timeline .. very good self-evaluator. (Murray presser .. relevant Q&A is from 7:45-9:30.)

 

[Caser]

What was going on in Detroit this week that Samsonov was at?

From Samsonov's interview:

My vacation is nearly over. Once I’m done with my high school exams, I’m flying to Detroit to practice with Sergei Zvyagin – he’s currently a goaltending coach at Metallurg. He offered my individual practices. I’m going to stay at his place for a month and practice everyday. What’s the program going to be like? I don’t know yet but I’m sure it’s going to be interesting. Mr. Zvyagin always gives great advice.

 

[Woodhouse]

 

[Cush]

I don't even know..........

 

[Hooliganx3]

What has gotten into the water at the draft?

 

[Kolzilla]

Yeah, not big on this.

I really hope WSH tried to trade down and there just weren't any takers.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I don't understand this move when there were many better options, not that Samanov is a bad player, it's just that we have so many young goalies in the system already. Don't think Caps are going anywhere with incompetent GMBM.

 

[Atas2000]

97s are already in University in Russia?

Of course. No offence, but the russian education system is quite good.