The Ottawa Senators made a goalie swap Friday, but it likely wasn’t the way it was envisioned. After placing Leevi Merilainen on waivers Thursday, the goaltender was claimed by the Vancouver Canucks.
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Senators head coach Travis Green made it clear Friday that the team briefly considered, but decided it would be best for the 24-year-old to continue to play games in Belleville, Ottawa’s American League affiliate.
“I’m open to it (three goalies). We’ll see. It doesn’t happen a lot. One team did it all last year, I believe, if I’m not mistaken. I haven’t seen it done many times over the years, and we also do have a starter that is prominent, and we know who our starter is. Teams that start three usually they’re not quite sure on their goaltender. Linus (Ullmark) is our starter is for sure. So there’s always tough decisions to make during training camp, and that’s part of the camp,” said Green.
Green’s message for Merilainen was “Just play well. There’s there’s nothing else that you want to see.”
But it’s now the Canucks who hope the Senators 71st overall selection in 2020 will be able to turn his game around after a disappointing 2025-26 season at the NHL level. Merilainen fell from grace after posting spectacular numbers for Ottawa the previous season while Ullmark was out with injury. The Finn recorded a 1.99 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage, recording eight wins; three of those were shutouts.
This past campaign, Merilainen took a step back. Unfortunately, faltering at a time he was to be relied upon. Merilainen played a total of 20 games, posting an .860 Sv Pct and 3.51 GAA. His subpar play resulted in the signing of veteran netminder James Reimer.
Senators general manager Steve Staios didn’t waste any time. Less than five hours after losing Merilainen, the Senators acquired Jonas Johansson from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Johansson served as backup to Andrei Vasilevskiy for the past three seasons with the Lightning. The 31-year-old joins his fifth NHL organization after originally being drafted 61st overall in 2014 by the Buffalo Sabres. The six-five, 220-pound native of Gavle, Sweden also spent time with Colorado and Florida.
A veteran of 105 NHL games, Johansson sports a career 43-36-14 record, 3.29 GAA, .889 Sv Pct.
Having previously cleared waivers this week, Johansson will report to Belleville to open the season as the “BSens” starter. The goalie is entering the final year of his two-year contract, which carries a $1.125 million average annual value, $25,000 of which will remain on the team’s cap while Johansson plies his trade in Belleville.
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