Buffalo Sabres Potential Draft Prospects: Ilya Samsonov

The Buffalo Sabres have the 21st overall pick in the draft currently. Despite Tim Murray saying that he does want to trade the pick to move up (if a player they wanted was available) or to acquire a more developed player, the fact remains that they can still hold on to the pick and use it.

Related – Potential Prospect Profile: Jake DeBrusk

Should Murray decide to keep the 21st overall pick, a key player that he should take a look at is Russian Goaltender Ilya Samsonov.

Profile

Ilya Samsonov is a goaltender that played in the Russian Junior League for team Magnitogorsk. He stands at 6’4 and weighs in at 203 lbs. Those features are sure to catch Tim Murray’s eye. Murray has made it clear with his goaltending choices that he prefers taller and highly skilled goaltenders. Not only that, but he seems to like european goalies.

Samsonov is ranked 19 on TSN’s final draft rankings and is ranked number 1 overall on NHL.com’s list of European goaltenders.

Samsonov played a total of 18 season games this year and posted a 11-4-1 record for his club. He added a 2.66 GGA and a .918 Sv%. The goals against could certainly be better, but the record and save percentage speak for themselves.

Praised mostly for his spectacular positioning and compete level, Ilya Samsonov is the kind of goaltender that would mesh well in the Buffalo Sabres system. Not only would he fit the profile for Murray’s ideal goaltender, but he fills the need for a top level goaltending talent in the system.

Ilya Samsonov has shown consistency and quickness in his game, and he sticks with the play very well. His vision to read the play in front of him and position himself for the save makes his reactions that much quicker. TSN’s Bob McKenzie said,

Combines essential elements of size and athletic ability to be imposing in the net and make scoring difficult. He is very aware and reads the play well and is quick to close down the net. An ultra competitor who never gives up on a play. With normal technical refinement, he can become a star.

That kind of goaltending level is very sought after and essential to top level teams.

Would Samsonov step in right away and be the starter for Buffalo? No he would not. There is still some simple refinement needed in his game before he can make the transition to the North American game, but when he gets here he should have no problem adapting.

A key factor that may have the Sabres hesitant on picking Samsonov would be the fact that he is Russian. He still would have a commitment to play in Russian for potentially two more years, and the Sabres would be gambling by using a first round pick on him. However, should Samsonov seek to play for the Buffalo Sabres, odds are that within the next three or so years he would be able to step into the Goaltending role for Buffalo.

He is a similar style and skill level goaltender to that of Andrei Vasilevskiy. (Watch the last Stanley Cup Final game to see some of his saves and skill level as he relieved Ben Bishop).

I say he would be worth the risk to take him. Here’s an example of his compete level and his willingness to not give up on the play.

What do you all think?

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