Ottawa Senators Roster Move
The Ottawa Senators made a significant roster move on Tuesday as they reconfigured their goaltending situation ahead of Linus Ullmark‘s expected return. Goaltender Leevi Meriläinen has been assigned to the Belleville Senators in the AHL, which came shortly after the team announced the recall of Hunter Shepard. Shepard is slated to travel with the team and serve as James Reimer‘s backup in Ullmark’s stead. Although Ullmark has not been activated yet and remains on the non-roster list, he is anticipated to join the Senators on their current road trip.
Meriläinen’s Performance
Meriläinen, a 23-year-old netminder, had been on the ice for 11 consecutive starts. Unfortunately, his performance during this stretch was underwhelming, culminating in a record of 4 wins, 5 losses, and 1 overtime loss, along with a 3.61 goals-against average. His last outing against the Montreal Canadiens was particularly tough, as he surrendered six goals on just 19 shots in a 6-5 overtime defeat, leading to questions about his current form and confidence.
This is a stark contrast to the successful run Meriläinen had last season when he stepped up in Ullmark and Anton Forsberg‘s absence. In that stint, he achieved an impressive 8-3-1 record, boasting a goals-against average of 1.99 and a .925 save percentage. Had he found a middle ground between last year’s results and his current struggles, the Senators might be in a more favorable position.
Future Outlook
While it seems likely that unless an emergency arises, Meriläinen won’t see NHL action again this season, the upcoming seven-game road trip for Belleville could provide him a much-needed chance to regroup away from the pressure he faced in the NHL. This reset could mirror a reboot for someone in need of a fresh start.
Despite his recent challenges, Meriläinen’s overall statistics for this season remain decent, with an 8-10-1 record, a 3.51 goals-against average, and an .860 save percentage, including a 4-3-1 record since January began. The Senators must avoid overreacting to his struggles, recognizing that the issues lie more with their evaluation of NHL readiness than with Meriläinen’s talent.
As a young goalie, Meriläinen has now experienced both the highs and lows of being at the NHL level. If the organization exercises patience, he has the chance to regain his footing. This summer, he will be a restricted free agent eligible for arbitration, leaving the team with decisions to make regarding his future.
Ideally, the Senators would have preferred for Meriläinen to mature in Belleville by playing regular minutes until he is 25, allowing Ullmark to provide steady goaltending while being supported by a reliable veteran backup like Reimer. However, the reality they face is that their strategy has not unfolded as envisioned.
Upcoming Games
Looking ahead, the Senators are scheduled to continue their road trip against the Columbus Blue Jackets later this evening, while the Belleville Senators are prepared to embark on their own road journey starting Wednesday against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Ullmark’s Return
In other news, Ullmark recently addressed the media for the first time since his leave of absence on December 28, sharing his thoughts in a candid interview with TSN.
