Capitals decline to make qualifying offer to G Ilya Samsonov

The Capitals did not make a qualifying offer to Ilya Samsonov on Monday, a surprising move that left Washington without a goalie on its NHL roster.

The decision makes Samsonov an unrestricted free agent and comes three days after the team traded goalie Vitek Vanecek to the New Jersey Devils.

Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan told reporters last week that the team would qualify Samsonov.

Washington now figures to