Ottawa Senators taking a deep dive on their goaltending situation

Despite Linus Ullmark's brilliant efforts in the playoffs, the Ottawa Senators' goaltending numbers were not good in the regular season. Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photo /Getty Images

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The Ottawa Senators’ goaltending is under the microscope.

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As the clock ticks towards the National Hockey League draft on June 26-27 and the opening of free agency on July 1, the Ottawa Citizen has been told the Senators are taking a hard look at their netminding throughout the organization to see what changes need to be made to their approach.

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Senators president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios hired Maciej Szwoch to serve as co-ordinator of goaltending scouting and development, and one of his jobs is to take a deep dive with goalie coach Justin Peters so the organization can make a net gain.

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Szwoch, 41, was brought in to work with top goalie Linus Ullmark when he took his 35-day leave of absence for mental health reasons last January. The two are close friends, and Szwoch is considered to be a mentor to Ullmark, but the focus right now is on the big picture.

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That’s because, despite Ullmark’s brilliant efforts in the club’s Round 1 series loss in four games to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Senators’ goaltending left a lot to be desired during the regular season.

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The Senators were ranked No. 29 in the league during the year with an .870 save percentage and had a 2.96 goals-against average. The club battened down the hatches defensively down the stretch, and Ullmark stepped up his game to help the club make the playoffs for the second straight spring.

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But the review, which is being done by Staios, Szwoch, who has previous NHL experience with the Detroit Red Wings, and Peters had better be close to wrapping up because the decisions made in the next two weeks will be pivotal to what the depth behind Ullmark looks like.

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The Senators need to determine what route they’re going to take with the backup position. They have to have a goalie who can suit up for 35 games because Ullmark has never played more than 50 in a season.

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Leevi Merilainen struggled after being thrust into the No. 1 role in late December. Photo by David Berding /Getty Images

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With three years left on Ullmark’s deal and his goalie coach on the staff, there is no question he will be back as the No. 1 next season. But what happens behind him is one of the most intriguing questions the Senators will have to answer in the next couple of weeks.

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The Senators used five goaltenders last season, mostly because of Ullmark’s leave of absence, but the position wasn’t settled until veteran James Reimer arrived in mid-January as an unrestricted free agent. The 38-year-old has yet to determine whether he will play again next season.

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Staios told reporters at his end-of-season availability that he took full responsibility for not properly addressing the void behind Ullmark. Leevi Merialinen was thrust into the No. 1 role in late December, with the club not playing well in front of him, and he couldn’t handle the pressure.

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The Senators have every right to believe in Merilainen. He is 23 years old, and there is no question he’ll receive a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent, but the organization could go the veteran route at backup until he has time to develop.