Capitals sign top goalie prospect Ilya Samsonov to entry-level deal

Russia's goaltender Ilya Samsonov stops USA's Clayton Keller on a penalty shot during third period semifinal IIHF World Junior Championship hockey action in 2017 in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/CP)

Mike Johnston May 4, 2018, 10:34 AM

The Washington Capitals locked up a key piece of their future Friday by signing top goalie prospect Ilya Samsonov to a three-year entry-level contract.

Samsonov was selected by the Capitals 22nd overall in 2015 and has spent the past four seasons with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the KHL.

The deal comes with an annual salary cap hit of $925,000, plus various player bonuses, according to CapFriendly.

#Capitals have signed the 22nd overall pick in 2015, goalie Ilya Samsonov to a 3 year ELC beginning in 2018-19 at the EL Max + PB's.

2018-19: $832,500 Base + 92,500 SB + $500,000 PB
2019-20: $832,500 Base + 92,500 SB + $550,000 PB
2020-21: $832,500 Base + 92,500 SB + $600,000 PB pic.twitter.com/3tQL9rTde4

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) May 4, 2018

Samsonov had a 12-9-1 record in 26 appearances this past season, registering a 2.31 goals-against average, .926 save percentage and three shutouts. Those numbers were a step down from the .936 save percentage and 2.13 GAA he posted the season prior.

The 21-year-old backstopped Team Russia to a silver medal at the 2016 world juniors and a bronze in 2017.

It’s unclear exactly how Samsonov will fit into Washington’s system in the near future, but the plan is for him to attend the team’s development camp in June.

Braden Holtby, 28, is the Capitals current starter with two more years remaining on his contract that carries with it a $6.1-million salary cap hit. Backup Philipp Grubauer is a 26-year-old pending restricted free agent that made some impressive strides this year, briefly taking over the starter’s role from Holtby late in the regular season—he was even named Washington’s starter at the beginning of the playoffs but was supplanted in the crease by Holtby after two games.