Senators bring back goaltender Leevi Merilainen on a one-year deal

1 week ago 13

Article content

The Ottawa Senators haven’t given up on Leevi Merilainen.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited digital access to the Ottawa Citizen.
Analysis on all things Ottawa by Bruce Deachman,David Pugliese, and others, award-winning newsletters and virtual events.
Opportunity to engage with our commenting community.
Ottawa Citizen ePaper.
Ottawa Citizen App.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles from David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.
Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.
Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
Support local journalism.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
Enjoy additional articles per month.
Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
Enjoy additional articles per month
Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

Article content

A day after signing veteran Samuel Ersson to be the backup to Linus Ullmark next season, the Senators brought back the 23-year-old Merilainen on a one-year deal at $1.1 million U.S. on Thursday.

Article content

Merilainen received a qualifying offer of $1.05 million at Monday’s deadline.

Article content

Steve Staios, the club’s president of hockey operations and general manager, stated after free agency opened on Wednesday that the club wanted to keep Merilainen in the fold.

Article content

“You need three good goaltenders, and Leevi’s a part of this moving forward,” Staios said.

Article content

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Article content

Merilainen split last season between Ottawa and the club’s American Hockey League affiliate in Belleville. He was thrust into an unenviable position in late December when Ullmark took a leave of absence for mental health reasons and was out for 35 days.

Article content

Thrown into the No. 1 spot, Merilainen wasn’t ready to take the reins. He was sent to Belleville after Ullmark returned to the lineup in late January and after 38-year-old veteran James Reimer was brought in to help right the ship.

Article content

He went 8-10-1 in 20 appearances with an .860 save percentage and a 3.51 goals-against average in Ottawa, while he finished with an 8-8-1 record in Belleville with a .907 save percentage and 2.77 GAA.

Article content

Merilainen still has a lot of potential, and he finished the season strong in Belleville. He was on a one-way deal last season and will have to clear waivers to be sent to the minors, but the salary will likely make teams pass on making a claim.

Article content

*** Disclaimer: This Article is auto-aggregated by a Rss Api Program and has not been created or edited by Bdtype.

(Note: This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News Rss Api. News.bdtype.com Staff may not have modified or edited the content body.

Please visit the Source Website that deserves the credit and responsibility for creating this content.)

Watch Live | Source Article