Ottawa Senators Loan Backup Goaltender
In a surprising move on Sunday morning, the Ottawa Senators announced the loan of backup goaltender Leevi Meriläinen to the Belleville Senators, their American Hockey League affiliate. This decision comes alongside the recall of Mads Søgaard from Belleville to join the Senators for their upcoming games.
Understanding the Transaction
Upon first glance, observers may interpret this transaction as a loss of confidence in Meriläinen, especially following his rough debut performance against the Buffalo Sabres, where the Senators suffered an 8–4 defeat. However, it is important to clarify that this shift is likely not a demotion. Instead, the Senators aim to provide Meriläinen with competitive game experience, which he would otherwise lack in the NHL due to an upcoming stretch of games where the schedule doesn’t feature back-to-back matchups until late October.
Upcoming Games and Strategy
The Senators will play against Edmonton at home on Tuesday, followed by a match with Philadelphia on Thursday and a trip to Washington on Saturday. They are set to meet the Boston Bruins the following Monday. Given these arrangements, it seems expected that starting goalie Jeremy Ullmark will take the net for these contests, marking his return against his former team.
The Senators may then opt to reintegrate Meriläinen into the lineup during the game on October 28 in Chicago, allowing him to regain his rhythm after a two-week layoff from game action.
Maintaining Meriläinen’s Readiness
The Senators are keen to avoid leaving Meriläinen inactive for long due to a lack of game time, thus potentially affecting his mental state after a challenging start in Buffalo. To facilitate this, he is scheduled to start for Belleville during their home game against the Syracuse Crunch on Sunday and may continue to see action in their upcoming matches, including a pair of games against Toronto late in the week.
Søgaard’s Role
On the other hand, Søgaard arrives back in Ottawa having recently cleared waivers and is currently waiver-exempt. His role will primarily be to fulfill practice duties and serve as a backup on the bench, as his recent AHL performances—including a save percentage of .864—haven’t warranted a more permanent spot in the NHL just yet.
Ultimately, Meriläinen’s loan to the B-Sens should be understood as a strategic move to ensure his readiness for future challenges rather than a punitive measure.
