The Toronto Maple Leafs have leaned on Joseph Woll as their primary goaltender, sidelining Ilya Samsonov. Woll's impressive recent displays secured his role over Samsonov, who confessed to the mental challenges brought about by this change.
NHL players have increasingly shared their mental health experiences. Samsonov faces added pressure as Woll, despite limited games, boasts strong stats with a 2.24 GAA and .929 save percentage, claiming the starting role.
Samsonov's situation has sparked trade rumors due to contract disparities. He's an unrestricted free agent in 2023-24, earning $3.55 million through arbitration. In contrast, Woll has another season at a $766K cap hit.
Samsonov has been diligently working on his performance with coach Curtis Sanford. While Woll has claimed the top spot, Samsonov's determination could lead to a rebound. He has the opportunity to make his case against the Nashville Predators this weekend.
