Ilya Samsonov, once a promising young goaltender in the NHL, has taken his career back to Russia, signing a two-year contract with HC Sochi of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). This move comes after Samsonov was unable to secure an NHL contract for the 2025-2026 season.

Samsonov, now 28 years old, began his NHL journey with the Washington Capitals, who drafted him 22nd overall in 2015. While he showed flashes of potential, he never quite blossomed into the number one goalie the Capitals had hoped for. After three seasons in Washington, he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent in 2022.

His first season in Toronto was arguably the best of his NHL career. Samsonov posted a 27-10-5 record in 42 games, with a 2.33 goals-against average (GAA) and a .919 save percentage. He played a key role in helping the Maple Leafs win their first playoff series in 19 years. Toronto's success was short-lived, however, as they were eliminated by the Florida Panthers in the second round.

Despite a decent 2023-24 season where he recorded 23 wins, Samsonov's performance began to decline. He then signed a one-year, $1.8 million contract with the Vegas Golden Knights for the 2024-25 season. As Adin Hill's backup in Vegas, Samsonov's numbers were underwhelming, with a 16-9-4 record, a 2.82 GAA, and an .891 save percentage in 29 regular-season games. He did not appear in the playoffs as the Golden Knights were eliminated in the second round by the Edmonton Oilers.

Over his NHL career, Samsonov played 200 games, achieving a record of 118-48-25 with a 2.77 GAA and a .902 save percentage. In 22 postseason appearances, he had a 6-14 record with a 3.05 GAA and a .901 save percentage.

Samsonov's return to the KHL marks a new chapter in his career. Prior to his NHL career, he played in the KHL with Metallurg Magnitogorsk for four seasons, winning the Gagarin Cup in 2016. He had a 33-16-9 record in 73 regular-season KHL games, with a 2.20 GAA, a .929 save percentage, and seven shutouts. HC Sochi acquired Samsonov's KHL rights from Metallurg Magnitogorsk in exchange for cash. At 28, Samsonov is still young for a goaltender and has the potential to revitalize his career in the KHL.