Sheldon Keefe provides official update on Ilya Samsonov.
The head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs addresses the media after Samsonov left practice on Saturday.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were given a big scare on Saturday morning, but it appears that is all it's going to be.
Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov set off some alarm bells on Saturday morning when he left practice after suffering an apparent injury. Samsonov could be seen leaving the ice hunched over in pain, and even tossed his stick in anger as he walked off the ice.
It would seem that this was the product of more frustration than pain however, as Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe has all but dismissed any concerns regarding any potential injury. Speaking to reporters after the morning skate, Keefe informed the media that Samsonov was still on track to play Saturday night's game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
"Sammy's fine," said Keefe. "He'll play tonight."
Obviously Keefe wouldn't be making these kinds of statements if there were any doubts.
Fans may not be inclined to trust the Maple Leafs head coach after he was less than forthcoming about a Mitch Marner injury that now appears to be considerably more serious than initially reported, but this feels like a drastically different scenario.
