Canadiens Sign Free Agent Sergei Samsonov

**Thrillhouse** · #1 (**permalink**) 07-12-2006, 07:47 PM

MONTREAL - Montreal Canadiens General Manager, Bob Gainey, today announced the signing of free agent Sergei Samsonov to a two-year contract through the 2007-08 season.

Samsonov, 27, will begin his 9th NHL campaign, after completing the 2005-06 season with the Edmonton Oilers, who acquired him from the Boston Bruins on March 9, 2006 for Marty Reasoner, Yan Stastny and a 2nd round pick in 2006.

In 2005-06, Samsonov, a native of Moscow, Russia, played in 74 games, collecting 23 goals and 30 assists for a total of 53 points and 28 penalty minutes. He posted 37 points, including 18 goals, in 55 games with the Bruins, and added 16 points in 19 games with the Oilers. In the latest Stanley Cup playoffs, he helped the Oilers reach the finals by scoring four goals and adding 11 assists in 24 games.

Through his NHL career, Samsonov has played in 533 regular-season NHL games, recording 169 goals and 223 assists for a total of 392 points and 109 penalty minutes and a plus/minus rating of +41. He has also taken part in 59 playoff games, during which he totaled 13 goals and 26 assists for a total of 39 points and 14 penalty minutes.

The 5’08’’, 194-pound left winger had his best season in 2000-01 with the Bruins, scoring 29 goals and adding 46 assists for a total of 75 points, all career highs. The following season, Samsonov had his second straight 29-goal season and posted 70 points. Samsonov had two more seasons of more than 20 goals, in 1997-98 and in 1998-99.

On the international scene, Samsonov played for Russia colors at the Salt Lake City Olympic Games (2002), at the World Cup of Hockey (2004) and at the World Junior Hockey Championships (1996 and 1997).

peacemaker · #2 (**permalink**) 07-12-2006, 07:49 PM

Nice signing by the Habs. This si the kind of player they like.
He will look good in a Hab uniform.

MattBurger · #3 (**permalink**) 07-12-2006, 08:18 PM

Ugh.... This is the last place I wanted to see Sammy land.

bengino · #4 (**permalink**) 07-12-2006, 08:19 PM

NOICE! if he can put up decent numbers this will be great!!

Mr.sports · #5 (**permalink**) 07-12-2006, 08:33 PM

Good signing by MTL, i Think that it will be good to see him on the same line of Kovalev and Ribeiro. He's a very good skater.

Does any Bruins fan or Oilers fans can tell me if he give his 100% each game??

**steg1989** · #6 (**permalink**) 07-12-2006, 08:46 PM

****, now I have to see him a Habs uniform??? You gotta be kidding me.

**jkidd** · #7 (**permalink**) 07-12-2006, 08:51 PM

And the Oilers take another hit...

Cant say I like Samsonov too much, but nevertheless, he'll be a good fit with the Habs and should help score some goals with Koivu.

Adambruinsfan · #8 (**permalink**) 07-12-2006, 09:23 PM

it's going to kill me to see Samsonov in that Canadiens jersey. he'll probably kill the Bruins during the season.

**Jensen** · #9 (**permalink**) 07-12-2006, 09:28 PM

I didn't think he would go to the Habs, but he should do well there.

Shoebottom · #10 (**permalink**) 07-12-2006, 10:46 PM

He sucks, this will make it easier for the Bruins to topple the Habs.

yohan · #11 (**permalink**) 07-12-2006, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.sports

Good signing by MTL, i Think that it will be good to see him on the same line of Kovalev and Ribeiro. He's a very good skater.

Does any Bruins fan or Oilers fans can tell me if he give his 100% each game??

He has gotten great lateral speed. He can circle defender, go in and out around them but never really gets anywheres. He is a decent 2nd line winger, but if history repeats he will be injured for about 40 games a year.

**canuckfan** · #12 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 12:37 AM

Nice signing by the Habs, I was wondering who was going to end up with this guy. Should work well with Kovalev. On the other side, The Oilers lose another piece to their '06 run. I've never seen anything like this before, I can't recall a time where a team came so close to winning it all only to have their team fall apart around them just months later.

As a 'nucks fan, I'm lovin' it! Next is Peca.