Cue the shuffle, the popular Ottawa Senators shuffle of goalies. Come to think about it, that has actually been one positive of the 2023-24 season. Despite subpar performances, at least there has been stability in who has minded the net for the Senators. Historically, the Sens have had difficulties as an organization finding regularity, really back to their current version inception. Perhaps with the exception of Craig Anderson, there has always been significant turnover in net. For instance, in 2022-23, a record seven different tenders started games for the team.
An Update on the Ottawa Senators Goalies
As for 2023-24, now that stability that has been in place for the Ottawa Senators goalies, that is about to change. As all signs point to regular backup Anton Forsberg missing some time. This would make sense that they will place him on injured reserve, as they recalled Mads Sogaard. Forsberg appeared to sustain a groin injury Thursday night against the Buffalo Sabres. Now, the shuffling has begun as Ottawa needs to find a replacement for Forsberg. Fortunately, this is another source of positivity for the organization. The pipeline is strong for prospects between the pipes. Two of these prospects, who will be shuffling, include Mads Sogaard and Leevi Merilainen. Recently, Merilainen has been playing in the ECHL, in order to be accumulating sufficient ice time in his personal development. Furthermore, for Sogaard, he is more than deserving of the call-up. He has playing very well for the Belleville Senators this year.
Roster update: The #Sens have recalled goaltender Mads Sogaard from @BellevilleSens.
— Sens Communications (@Media_Sens) January 12, 2024
Mads Sogaard
Sogaard was a high second-round pick by the Sens in 2019. The organization remains very high on his potential, and how. Case in point, back to the 2018-19 season, Sogaard played 37 games for the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers. His numbers were more than impressive with a 2.64 GAA and a .921 SV%. However, like many young goalies, his progression has been anything but linear. With some injuries and inconsistencies, the 6’7” tendie has seen his numbers prone to volatility.
Last year, with the tandem of Forsberg and Cam Talbot, the Senators were unlucky. Both missed time with injury and partly at the same time as well. Conversely, this gave Sogaard his opportunity to appear in 19 games for Ottawa. His .889 SV% was less than desirable, but the team was in no way doing anything to help the cause. This year, playing on a hot Belleville Senators squad, Sogaard has been sharp. In 16 games, his .920 SV% speaks to his focus and readiness for the show. Let’s hope the team in front of him can tighten up for when he gets called upon. Given the timeframe for Forsberg’s injury, it isn’t a matter of if but when starter Joonas Korpisalo needs a rest.
Leevi Merilainen
Merilainen is a product of the special 2020 Ottawa Senators draft, as he was taken in the third round. Since being drafted, much like Sogaard, he has been susceptible to inconsistent stretches. For example, in 2021-22, Merilainen’s numbers were far from spectacular as a member of the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs. He had a .891 SV% and a 3.29 GAA in 53 games. Now the number of games played were positive, but those aren’t the numbers you want to see from a maturing goaltender. Therefore, the following season he went back to Finland to find his game. And find it, he did. Playing for Karpat of the Liiga, he had a 2.02 GAA, .918 SV%, and remarkably eight shutouts. He even ended up suiting up for Ottawa in two games as well.
In 2023-24, Merilainen has split time between Belleville and the Allen Americans of the ECHL. He had been playing in the East Coast, to defer time to Sogaard lately. Moreover, this has worked out well for both tenders. Merilainen has been shining, with a .926 SV% through 13 games for the Americans. Now, he looks to carry over that form with Belleville.
Main photo: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
