Samsonov Post Game Interview

[Ports]

Sorry to bring this up here as a non-leaf fan, but is it possible to send him down? I think the situation may be similar to the Edmonton situation, where the team intrinsically or explicitly knows how bad their goaltending is and they start to grip their sticks too much and play too recklessly to try and cover up the goaltending woes. Once Campbell was sent down, you could see them start to play with some more defensive confidence. For the simple act of sending down the goalie/buying them out, it may be the best for both parties, especially if Samsonov is feeling lots of pressure.

That makes too much sense. Any good organization with championship aspirations wouldn’t allow this to continue but there are a lot of things they do that show a lack of forethought or accountability. Samsanov should have been sent down two weeks ago. Any stiff on league minimum would give them better goaltending until Woll gets healthy.

 

[rumman]

Tough to do under normal circumstances (even tougher to do with a few back-to-back scenarios occurring over the course of the next month).

Jones is a vet, he can handle a heavy load, considering Samsonov is the alternative……..

 

[featherhawk]

Samsonov looks and sounds like he needs help from Mental Health professionals

 

[Buds17]

Jones is a vet, he can handle a heavy load, considering Samsonov is the alternative……..

I'm just apprehensive about running with the same goalie that much due to the potential for injury and diminishing returns/performance. Can't dismiss the possibility though.

 

[Ports]

The Leafs will still need a goalie to share the workload with Jones until Woll is ready to return and having Samsonov in the AHL counting against the cap might cut into the amount of cap available to allot to that need. I'm not unequivocally suggesting that Samsonov will continue to be in the team's plans moving forward, merely just that he is until he isn't (which is why I wasn't a big fan of Keefe's commentary on the matter).

They get $1.2M in cap relief by sending him down which should be enough to sign a backup.

 

[kevsh]

Watching him in net now is like watching Ali getting beaten down by Holmes. At some point you just can't watch and even if you were an Ali hater; No one wants to see anyone go through that.

I just don't understand how he could've been give the last few starts unless there was literally no other choice.

Honestly, there's no way seeing his demeanor or play in practice or in the locker room before/after during the past few weeks Keefe could have possibly got any sense from Samsonov that he'd gotten past the mental issues and was ready to play. Enough already.

 

[rumman]

I'm just apprehensive about running with the same goalie that much due to the potential for injury and diminishing returns/performance. Can't dismiss the possibility though.

I hear you, but it’s not like your going to ruin a impact player, we just need some steady goaltending until Woll returns and can hopefully pick up where he left off………

 

[Enniskillen]

He is a bad goalie, but he is a human. Just look at Edmonton, don’t be like them, with all these vile comments without a hint of sarcasm.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I don't wish anything bad on Samsonov the person.

I never want to see Samsonov the goalie again.

 

[notbias]

There should have been red flags when samsonov’s fellow countryman Ovechkin endorsed capitals front office to just let him walk. But being dubie has absolutely zero foresight and especially when it comes to goalies, dubies gonna dubie

Re-signed by the current GM... played well under the former... weird thing to bring up.

Also, the Capitals have their own problems in net... Kuemper is on a bad contract.

Samsonov looks and sounds like he needs help from Mental Health professionals

Probably does... it is probably more mental than anything else now...

I'm sure being a new father doesn't help and will affect how well prepared you are on game day, but now I just think 95% of it is mental issues for him.

 

[ponder]

I definitely feel for Sammy as a person. There’s so much pressure as an NHL goalie, especially on the Leafs, and he’s in a kind of death spiral of poor play leading to bad mental health, leading to more poor play, etc.

But pro sports are ruthlessly performance based, and we just cannot keep giving him starts with the way he’s playing right now. He needs to be waived, and hopefully he can find his game again with the Marlies. He is playing epically poorly at the moment - like here’s the worst save percentages with 13+ games played (Sammy is at 15), from the year 2000 to present:

NHL Stats

The official source for NHL Stats including skaters, goalies, teams stats and more.

www.nhl.com

That’s well over 20 seasons, and Sammy this year is tied for 3rd worst. He just can’t be getting games on a team that’s trying to contend.

 

[ITM]

Having watched the interview - when he says: "Easy to head down, and...just to crying...and be sad...", I'm reminded of how happy and encouraged Samsonov was when it looked like he was our new, true, number one.

As fans we see the player's bottom line worth in stats. No wins, no worth (apparently). Obviously, there's a bottom line that he's not meeting as a professional and the professional thing to do is remedy the situation for all involved.

But I find it curious that some of our fanbase can translate their anger to such a level that would attack the person of Samsonov because he no longer retains perceived professional utility.

I wonder, if those same fans were as angry when they found out about Babcock and his psychological abuse of players.

And so the obvious question raised is: Are they aware of the dilemma?

Bottom line for me as a fan: Find a situation for Samsonov to heal with an open invitation to find his game in the AHL, with calm assurance that the opportunity remains open to him if he earns it.

And then we go out and find the most sensible solution that doesn't reflect past management's misuse what primary assets we have left on past their prime assets available; Middling assets for a middling stop-gap and get the club playing better defence if we/they can.

But let's be kind given the chance. Samsonov loved being our number one and its plain to see, he doesn't need any help beating himself down. He's obviously well aware he's at his bottom. We are as well.

I'll say this in all of this situation: I am elated, Babcock is no longer with this club with this player in this situation.

 

[TheShape]

Its just appalling listening to some of these comments about Samsonov, whose definitely down & out. The anxiety hes going through etc. Yeah sure he can't handle it and yes the Leafs need a keeper but the venom that is spewed by some of these posters is too much. Its hard enough for goalie who seems to be able to handle it.
I have 2 sons who suffer from mental illness. Lots of frustration & tears over the years watching and patiently working through their development. I just shake my head. The world we live in. Growup!!!

I feel for the guy on a personal level, I don't have any ill will. Players are what they are, grateful for the series win last season but for whatever reason he has lost it here. Nothing personal, time to move on. Hopefully Samsonov can rebound elsewhere, I couldn't imagine the pressure playing in this market.

It's on the organization at this point.

 

[ThrowDemTongs]

Sammy, love ya, me ol trout, and thanks for showing up, but get the f*** out

 

[rumman]

I feel for the guy on a personal level, I don't have any ill will. Players are what they are, grateful for the series win last season but for whatever reason he has lost it here. Nothing personal, time to move on. Hopefully Samsonov can rebound elsewhere, I couldn't imagine the pressure playing in this market.

It's on the organization at this point.

father time waits for no man, Samsonov plays at the highest level of hockey, no shame if you can't keep up, how many goalies have that kind of resume...........

 

[-DeMo-]

There should have been red flags when samsonov’s fellow countryman Ovechkin endorsed capitals front office to just let him walk. But being dubie has absolutely zero foresight and especially when it comes to goalies, dubies gonna dubie

just out of curiosity can you provide proof of Ovie advocating for or liked or endorsed the Capitals to not qualify Samsonov?

 

[Goose]

Feels like the Leafs think they'll make the playoffs regardless of how many times the Leafs score 5 and still lose the game.

Might just be using him for now to keep from overloading Jones and minimizing the risk of injury so that come playoffs they can go with Woll/Jones or make a trade.

I'm okay with that strategy if that's the strategy.

 

[Alerion]

Neat Twitter thread here, there's a bunch more examples as well. Wish we had better goalie analysis available in the mainstream.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

We are neither his medical professionals nor his family/friends. No one with a soul truly wishes personal harm on him, but to be blunt it is not the fans' job to worry about a player's personal well-being before his play on the ice.

He's not doing his job. Period. Everyone hopes he gets help but he's not doing his job and it isn't the fans' responsibility to get him the help he needs.

When you hire a person with very well known mental health issues then it is the organization job to help him in bad times .. I happen to know his condition as my daughter has same condition and know who is doc is in toronto .. when she is down and depressed and anxious then all you can do is make sure she takes her meds and provide support support support .. they will get over it and the she is a top actuary in Toronto again and sunlife understands it occurs a few times a year .. you built it in to your planning as an org .. Sammy when he is on is world class my friends which is why he was signed.. when he is sick then you need to let him recover like when you break your leg .. da leafs have handled this very very badly .. to me is in beyond sad .. almost pathetic .. da salary cap does not work well in these cases too .. many folks with problems think they can solve it on their own .. my guess is thatvis what is occurring now .. bad bad bad bad

 

[TheGreenTBer]

When you hire a person with very well known mental health issues then it is the organization job to help him in bad times .. I happen to know his condition as my daughter has same condition and know who is doc is in toronto .. when she is down and depressed and anxious then all you can do is make sure she takes her meds and provide support support support .. they will get over it and the she is a top actuary in Toronto again and sunlife understands it occurs a few times a year .. you built it in to your planning as an org .. Sammy when he is on is world class my friends which is why he was signed.. when he is sick then you need to let him recover like when you break your leg .. da leafs have handled this very very badly .. to me is in beyond sad .. almost pathetic .. da salary cap does not work well in these cases too .. many folks with problems think they can solve it on their own .. my guess is thatvis what is occurring now .. bad bad bad bad

I have been on medication for over half of my life. A bit over two decades ago I was in a mental hospital for a very brief spell until I got out of it, got on the right meds and took action like an adult. I am obviously sympathetic to mental illness, if that is indeed what's going on. But if he's not doing his job he shouldn't be playing and that part is not Samsonov's fault, that's the fault of the idiots in suits.

 

[Enga Olly]

Why isn't Samsonov on waivers yet? BT wake up, do your job

 

[Da Cool Rula]

Having watched the interview - when he says: "Easy to head down, and...just to crying...and be sad...", I'm reminded of how happy and encouraged Samsonov was when it looked like he was our new, true, number one.

As fans we see the player's bottom line worth in stats. No wins, no worth (apparently). Obviously, there's a bottom line that he's not meeting as a professional and the professional thing to do is remedy the situation for all involved.

But I find it curious that some of our fanbase can translate their anger to such a level that would attack the person of Samsonov because he no longer retains perceived professional utility.

I wonder, if those same fans were as angry when they found out about Babcock and his psychological abuse of players.

And so the obvious question raised is: Are they aware of the dilemma?

Bottom line for me as a fan: Find a situation for Samsonov to heal with an open invitation to find his game in the AHL, with calm assurance that the opportunity remains open to him if he earns it.

And then we go out and find the most sensible solution that doesn't reflect past management's misuse what primary assets we have left on past their prime assets available; Middling assets for a middling stop-gap and get the club playing better defence if we/they can.

But let's be kind given the chance. Samsonov loved being our number one and its plain to see, he doesn't need any help beating himself down. He's obviously well aware he's at his bottom. We are as well.

I'll say this in all of this situation: I am elated, Babcock is no longer with this club with this player in this situation.

Well written beautiful

 

[rumman]

When you hire a person with very well known mental health issues then it is the organization job to help him in bad times .. I happen to know his condition as my daughter has same condition and know who is doc is in toronto .. when she is down and depressed and anxious then all you can do is make sure she takes her meds and provide support support support .. they will get over it and the she is a top actuary in Toronto again and sunlife understands it occurs a few times a year .. you built it in to your planning as an org .. Sammy when he is on is world class my friends which is why he was signed.. when he is sick then you need to let him recover like when you break your leg .. da leafs have handled this very very badly .. to me is in beyond sad .. almost pathetic .. da salary cap does not work well in these cases too .. many folks with problems think they can solve it on their own .. my guess is thatvis what is occurring now .. bad bad bad bad

they keep putting him in net, you'd think a woke organization like MLSE wouldn't want to be labeled as abusing the mentally handicapped yet here we are............

 

[Da Cool Rula]

I have been on medication for over half of my life. A bit over two decades ago I was in a mental hospital for a very brief spell until I got out of it, got on the right meds and took action like an adult. I am obviously sympathetic to mental illness, if that is indeed what's going on. But if he's not doing his job he shouldn't be playing and that part is not Samsonov's fault, that's the fault of the idiots in suits.

Sometimes you need friends and support to guide you along the way. Every situation is different. I'm glad you worked it out in your case. Good on you for being strong enough to get that help. But again some need an extra push . And we definitely, as was the intent of my original post, dont need to be belittling or abusive to him by these childish comments. Besides my sons situations( & they are severe in different ways. One of them couldn't even ask for help)Ive worked in the hospital for 36 year's. I'm very close to the doctors whether surgeons, mental health etc. I've seen when people/patients get low and unmotivated. They NEED SUPPORT!!!

they keep putting him in net, you'd think a woke organization like MLSE wouldn't want to be labeled as abusing the mentally handicapped yet here we are............

Thats the sadness of sport/money today.

 

[Da Cool Rula]

I have been on medication for over half of my life. A bit over two decades ago I was in a mental hospital for a very brief spell until I got out of it, got on the right meds and took action like an adult. I am obviously sympathetic to mental illness, if that is indeed what's going on. But if he's not doing his job he shouldn't be playing and that part is not Samsonov's fault, that's the fault of the idiots in suits.

And yes you are right the suits need to do their job. Do the right thing. Which would protect him too from the ridicule.