Maple Leafs' Samsonov clears waivers, assigned to AHL

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov cleared waivers on Monday and was subsequently assigned to the AHL's Toronto Marlies.

Samsonov has been one of the league's worst netminders this season, owning a 5-2-6 record with an .862 save percentage and 3.94 goals against average. His stark decline comes after he posted career highs in his debut campaign in Toronto. Samsonov was 27-10-5 in 2022-23 with a .919 clip, prompting the Maple Leafs to re-sign him on a one-year, $3.55-million deal over the summer.

The Leafs gained $1.15 million in cap space with Samsonov sent down. As of Sunday, Toronto is only $34,999 short of the league's $83.5-million limit, according to CapFriendly.

Samsonov won't play for the Marlies this week, according to TSN's Darren Dreger. He'll instead work with goaltending coaches and support staff before being re-evaluated after the Maple Leafs' road trip.

The Maple Leafs will likely hand starting duties to veteran Martin Jones, who's been thrust into action since Joseph Woll's injury in early December. Jones, 33, has made eight NHL appearances this season, owning a .915 save percentage.

Dennis Hildeby was recalled by Toronto on Monday ahead of its upcoming trip to California.

Hildeby was a fourth-round pick in 2022 and has yet to debut in the NHL. He's 7-5-3 with a .919 save percentage this season in the minors.

The Maple Leafs sit third in the Atlantic Division with 41 points but have lost five of their last six contests. Toronto allowed 28 goals over that span.