The Toronto Maple Leafs are hopeful that Ilya Samsonov can build off of what was his first start in 16 days on Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings and help the Leafs snap their current four-game losing streak. While Samsonov did not record the win and is still looking for his first win in six weeks, Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said it was the best he had seen Samsonov play all season.
With Martin Jones and Samsonov splitting duties until Joseph Woll is able to return, the Leafs' crease is not exactly stable, but Jones has done everything asked of him and more. However, should Samsonov continue to struggle, even with the play of Jones, the Leafs could be in the market for a goaltender. According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the Leafs have shown interest in current Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.
Fleury is 8-9-3 in 22 games with a 2.97GAA and .897 save percentage so far this season with the Wild. The Wild have not thrown in the towel on the season just yet, but currently sit 8 points out of the final Wild Card spot in the West, so the next couple of weeks will likely determine their plans.
The 39-year-old Fleury comes with a $3.5M cap hit for the season, so the Leafs would have to have Minnesota retain some salary, unless they agree to take Samsonov back. With previous reports indicating that the Leafs will likely be quiet on the trade front this season, they would have to believe the addition of Fleury would stabilize the position and give Woll another mentor during the home stretch run of the regular season and help guide him throughout the playoffs.
