Ottawa Senators Postseason Review
As the Ottawa Senators wrapped up their postseason activities on Monday, the topic of goaltending performance came to the forefront of discussions. During the first half of the 2025-26 season, the team’s struggles were significantly attributed to the disappointing play of netminders Linus Ullmark and Leevi Merilainen. This poor performance contributed to a challenging start that required the Senators to embark on an intense 21-6-3 run just to clinch the final playoff berth. Unfortunately for them, this effort ended in a swift elimination at the hands of a superior Carolina squad.
General Manager’s Reflection
In the exit meetings, General Manager Steve Staios acknowledged his role in the goaltending challenges faced by the team.
“When I reflect on the decisions made for the team’s advancement, it’s clear we didn’t adequately address the backup goalie position initially,”
Staios admitted, while still expressing faith in Merilainen’s potential.
Staios’s plans had perhaps been overly ambitious, expecting his youthful goalies to perform beyond their previous experiences. Merilainen, just 23, was thrust into the role of full-time backup for the first time, backing up Ullmark, who had his own issues rising to the challenge of increased game time. Ullmark was slated to start over 60 games based on early season expectations, leading to a heavy workload that would later prove unsustainable. Over the condensed schedule, Ullmark started 28 out of the first 37 games, placing him second in starts league-wide at that point.
Midseason Changes
However, after being pulled from a game in Toronto and subsequently taking a leave of absence, Ullmark’s situation worsened, leaving the Senators to rely on Merilainen. Unfortunately, he could not recapture the form he displayed in the previous season. Staios recognized the struggles and made a timely move by acquiring veteran goalie James Reimer on January 12, immediately following a disappointing performance from Merilainen that sealed his fate with the team. After a 6-5 overtime loss to Montreal, which led to media comments about needing improved goaltending, Merilainen was reassigned to the minors, indicating a miscalculation of his readiness for the NHL level by the management team.
Staios reflected on this decision, noting that Merilainen’s metrics suggested he was more capable than some other backup options they considered.
“I didn’t provide sufficient support for Ullmark, nor did I help Leevi find the success we envisioned,”
he admitted.
Playoff Performance and Future Outlook
After Ullmark returned to the ice on January 25, he alternated as a backup before a break for the Olympics, and his performance began to see improvement. Ironically, despite the criticism directed toward the goaltending position throughout the regular season, Ullmark emerged as Ottawa’s standout player in the playoffs.
“It was the first real time this whole season where I felt like myself again,”
Ullmark shared proudly, despite the gut-wrenching experience of performing well in losing efforts.
Looking ahead, Staios, now entering his third offseason as general manager, recognizes the need to support Ullmark throughout the demanding regular season, potentially limiting his starts to around 50 games and instating a split-role strategy similar to his time with Jeremy Swayman in Boston. With 38-year-old Reimer’s future uncertain and questions about his ability to shoulder a heavy workload, the situation becomes precarious. Reimer, when asked about his future with the Senators, reminisced fondly, stating he enjoyed his tenure and appreciated the community, but acknowledged that he needs to consider what makes sense for his family moving forward.
Contract Considerations
Both Reimer (set to become a UFA) and Merilainen (a pending RFA eligible for arbitration) will require new contracts this offseason. As the Senators contemplate improving their goaltending lineup, finding viable options could prove challenging due to a competitive market for depth at such a critical position. Regardless of the path taken, with Ullmark signed for three more years, it is crucial for Ottawa to secure a reliable partner who can effectively step into at least 35 games next season, ensuring the team is better prepared for the demands of the league.
