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Washington Capitals: Top 5 Goaltender Prospects

ByMichael Marzzacco|
HERSHEY, PA - FEBRUARY 09: Hershey Bears goalie Ilya Samsonov (35) hugs and congratulates fellow goalie Vitek Vanecek (30) after stopping all five shooters during the shoot out after the Charlotte Checkers vs. Hershey Bears AHL game February 9, 2019 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HERSHEY, PA - FEBRUARY 09: Hershey Bears goalie Ilya Samsonov (35) hugs and congratulates fellow goalie Vitek Vanecek (30) after stopping all five shooters during the shoot out after the Charlotte Checkers vs. Hershey Bears AHL game February 9, 2019 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Ilya Samsonov

ARLINGTON, VA – JUNE 29: Capitals prospect goalie Ilya Samsonov during camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on June 29, 2016 in Arlington, Va. (Photo by Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, VA – JUNE 29: Capitals prospect goalie Ilya Samsonov during camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on June 29, 2016 in Arlington, Va. (Photo by Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Ilya Samsonov rounds out this list as the top goaltending prospect in the system for a good reason. Following a successful 11-4-1 season in 2014-15 including a 2.66 GAA and .908 save percentage with Metallurg’s junior program, Stainye Lisy, Samsonov was drafted by the Capitals in the first round at 22nd overall in 2015.

Samsonov played in one KHL game with Metallurg prior to his draft selection by Washington, making his league debut by coming into action in relief back on Dec. 11, 2014.

Samsonov remained in the KHL the next three seasons. In 2015-16, he was a steady 6-4-3 with a .925 save percentage and 2.04 GAA in 19 games. Samsonov had his best KHL season the following year amassing a 15-3-5 regular season record in 27 games with a GAA of 2.13 and a save percentage of .936.

He also helped lead Team Russia to a Bronze Medal in the 2017 World Juniors with a 2.11 GAA and a .930 save percentage in six games.

Coming off a 2017-18 campaign where he went 12-9-1 with a 2.31 GAA and .926 save percentage in 26 games, Samsonov and the Capitals inked a three-year, entry-level contract on May 4, 2018.

HERSHEY, PA – MARCH 16: Hershey Bears goalie Ilya Samsonov (35) makes a save on Bridgeport Sound Tigers right wing Tanner Fritz (11) during the Bridgeport Sound Tigers vs. the Hershey Bears AHL hockey game March 16, 2019 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HERSHEY, PA – MARCH 16: Hershey Bears goalie Ilya Samsonov (35) makes a save on Bridgeport Sound Tigers right wing Tanner Fritz (11) during the Bridgeport Sound Tigers vs. the Hershey Bears AHL hockey game March 16, 2019 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The 22-year old has since been with the Hershey Bears and in his first AHL season he went 20-17-1 in 37 games with a 2.70 GAA and a .898 save percentage. He also played in five Calder Cup playoff games, earning two wins and posting a .897 save percentage.

Samsonov has yet to see NHL action but did get called up to Washington to serve as a backup to Pheonix Copley back on Nov. 18 when the team was in Colorado as insurance for Braden Holtby’s upper-body injury.

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