This is a real coup for the Caps, especially since, when Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens inquired this winter about acquiring Samsonov via trade, Washington was very demanding and asked a lot of money from the Tricolore.
Today, they simply release him and they will receive nothing in exchange. As of Wednesday, Hughes and Jeff Gorton will have the opportunity to sign Samsonov and acquire him "for free".
One thing is for sure, this announcement has changed the plans of many general managers, and many of them will certainly want him as their future goaltender.