Senators Merilainen On Waivers: What’s Next?

The Ottawa Senators made their first training camp roster move of significance Thursday, placing goaltender Leevi Merilainen on waivers.

Senators content is powered by https://www.betalytics.com/ and https://rudehockey.com/.Betalytics provides the best sports data available. Offering a free five-day no-strings trial with monthly plans starting from $9.99. Use Promo Code: HHS to receive a 25% discount. Rude Hockey provides cutting-edge apparel for hardcore fans.

The decision signifies the team is content to open the season with two goalies, Linus Ullmark and Samuel Ersson.

There was some chatter that the Senators would carry a trio of netminders on their roster. However, after a subpar 2025-26 campaign with Philadelphia, Ersson is impressing at Ottawa’s camp. It was only a preseason outing, but the former Flyer made 35 saves versus a stacked Montreal Canadiens club in Trois-Rivières on Monday.

Another reason for waiving Merilainen is stiff competition for depth spots at forward and defense. If the 24-year-old were to remain on the Senators roster, the team could only keep one extra forward and one d-man. The team can now elect to hang onto three players, if they wish.

It’s been a slow fall from grace for Merilainen, who was anointed as backup to Ullmark last season. The Senators elected not to offer pending unrestricted free agent goalie Anton Forsberg a contract at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season after the Finn went on a stellar three-week run. With Ullmark out with injury, the Senators’ 2020 71st overall Entry Draft selection posted a 1.99 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage, recording eight wins, three of those were shutouts.

And last season, Merilainen wasn’t able to hone his game during Ullmark’s leave of absence. His .860 Sv Pct over 20 games played for the Senators was his worst at any level, to go with his 3.51 GAA.

Merilainen needs to play games, and sitting in Ottawa as a third wheel does nothing for his confidence.

Will Merilainen be claimed?

Placing a goalie on waivers is always a gamble. Waiving Merilainen is no different. Filip Gustavsson won’t open the season for Minnesota; likewise Canucks Thatcher Demko. Flyers Dan Vladar is out short-term. Pittsburgh may want Sergei Murashov to continue his development in the AHL. Not to mention, the Winnipeg Jets, where they’re dealing with the Connor Hellebuyck situation.

The Senators are likely hoping Merilainen clears waivers at 2 p.m. ET Friday, which alleviates any potential issue.

If one of Ullmark/Ersson is not available and Merilainen is subsequently claimed, there’d be no other goaltenders currently in the Senators organization with NHL experience.

Vadim Zherenko is in camp on a professional tryout. Zherenko has played the past four seasons for the St. Louis AHL affiliate, Springfield Thunderbirds and was their starter last season. Second-year pro Jackson Parsons and Kevin Reidler, who signed an entry-level deal on March 30, are each in the Senators organization; neither Parsons nor Reidler are for NHL action at this point in their development.