Senators name Steve Staios general manager as Toronto Maple Leafs place Ilya Samsonov on waivers

Staios has had plenty of managerial experience as the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs general manager for several seasons and was appointed general manager of the year in 2021-22. Staios also has plenty of NHL experience as he was formerly a member of the Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins, Atlanta Thrashers, Calgary Flames, New York Islanders, and an eight-season member of the Edmonton Oilers.

Staios scored 56 goals and 220 points throughout 16 years and 1001 games in the NHL before moving into the office side of the hockey world.

Alongside Staois, Dave Poulin has also been appointed as Senior Vice-President, with Ryan Bowness taking the title of Associate General Manager.

Poulin has spent 13 years as a player in the NHL, split between the Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals, and Bruins. He joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2009 and was vice president of hockey operations until 2014.

Bowness worked as an executive for the Senators before securing his new role. He has also spent time as the general manager for the team’s AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators, as well as the director of professional scouting for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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Toronto Maple Leafs place Ilya Samsonov on Waivers

The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed struggling goaltender Ilya Samsonov on waivers, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported Sunday. 

Samsonov has struggled to find his confidence between the pipes this season, making 15 appearances with a record of 5-2-6. He last appeared with the Leafs on December 29th, which resulted in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he made only 15 saves.

His save percentage sits at .862 with a 3.94 goals against average, the lowest of his career, a complete turnaround from his .919 save percentage and 2.33 goals against average at the end of last season. In his previous four starts, Samsonov has allowed 21 goals, contributing to the 52 overall goals he’s allowed throughout 15 games. 

For the Leafs, Samsonov has been an option they’ve had to turn to alongside Martin Jones following Joseph Woll’s ankle injury that has kept him out of the lineup since December 9th. 

It’s suggested that Dennis Hildeby, a young 22-year-old goaltender currently playing for the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, will be the call-up to take his place. In 15 games, he has recorded a 2.20 goals against average and a .919 save percentage, similar to Samsonov’s last season with the Maple Leafs. 

Samsonov was awarded a one-year $3.55 million deal for the 2023-24 season following a contract arbitration over the summer.

On Sunday, the Buffalo Sabres also announced that goaltender Eric Comrie has also been placed on waivers. Comrie has struggled with consistency this season with a 4.01 goals against average and .863 save percentage. He holds a record of 1-5-0 throughout seven games throughout the 2023-24 campaign. 

Comrie is in the final year of his two-year $3.6 million deal with the Sabres.