Former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov signs a new deal with the San Jose Sharks and returns to North America after spending the most recent season in the KHL. The agreement brings the 29-year-old goalie back to the NHL after his prior North American stint with Toronto.
Multiple outlets report that the Sharks’ contract is a short-term arrangement for the 2026-27 season, described as one-year and two-way. The reporting consistently frames the move as part of a potential NHL comeback following his season playing in his native Russia. Newsweek characterizes the deal as a return after the KHL stint, while Yahoo Sports specifies the contract structure and season.
While the outlets differ slightly in wording—some describe a one-year deal and others emphasize the two-way terms—they agree on the core facts: Samsonov is rejoining an NHL organization, the Sharks are the team involved, and the contract takes effect for the 2026-27 season after his KHL play.
