In a surprising move, the Toronto Maple Leafs have placed goaltender Ilya Samsonov on waivers following a series of poor performances. After surrendering six goals in a recent game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Samsonov's struggles between the pipes have reached a breaking point.

Expected to be the Leafs' top goalie this season, Samsonov's performance fell short of expectations, resulting in him losing his starting position to Joseph Woll. With a dismal save percentage of .862, which is the second-worst among NHL regulars this season, it became evident that Samsonov needed some time away from the team to regroup and find his form.

The Maple Leafs made numerous attempts to help Samsonov get back on track. Goalie coach Curtis Sanford worked tirelessly with him, focusing on improving his technique and offering emotional support to combat the mental struggles that were affecting his game. However, despite their efforts, Samsonov continued to allow three or more goals in 10 out of his 15 appearances, leading to the decision to remove him from the lineup.

If Samsonov goes unclaimed on waivers, which is likely considering his struggles and his $3.55 million cap hit, he will be assigned to the AHL affiliate, the Marlies, where he can work on rediscovering his game. This path is reminiscent of the one taken by the Edmonton Oilers earlier this season with Jack Campbell. It is worth noting that Samsonov's contract expires at the end of the season, adding another layer of uncertainty to his future with the Maple Leafs.

With Samsonov's departure, Dennis Hildeby is expected to be promoted from the Marlies to partner with Martin Jones as the goaltending duo for the time being. Additionally, there is a potential for General Manager Brad Treliving to claim goaltender Eric Comrie, who was also waived by the Buffalo Sabres, as a short-term solution until Joseph Woll returns from a high ankle sprain.

While it remains uncertain how the Maple Leafs will move forward without Samsonov, it is likely that this marks the end of his tenure with the team. However, if he can rediscover his game in the AHL, he may become a viable option in the event of injuries to Woll, Jones, or any other goaltenders the team may acquire. Only time will tell if Samsonov can bounce back and revive his career with the Maple Leafs.