Today is the day before the NHL free agency period begins on July 1st. However, with the commotion going on, you wouldn’t know it. Mitch Marner, Evan Bouchard, Brad Marchand, Aaron Ekblad headline the list of players who all signed this afternoon. But we are here to bring you the biggest Ottawa Senators re-signing of the day. Today their 22-year-old, goaltender of the future, signs a new one-year deal, as Leevi Merilainen agreed to a contract extension. The deal for Merilainen is worth $1.05 million for the 2025-26, and sees him maintain RFA status at its expiration.
NEWS RELEASE: #Sens agree to contract extension with Leevi Meriläinen for the 2025-26 season and extend qualifying offers to four others: https://t.co/2jucyOycWi
COMMUNIQUÉ: Les #Sens accordent une prolongation de contrat à Leevi Meriläinen pour la saison 2025-26 et soumettent… pic.twitter.com/DXzBRInlYn
— Sens Communications (@Media_Sens) June 30, 2025
RFA Goalie Leevi Merilainen Signs Contract Extension With Senators
This is a big signing for the Senators. Merilainen is a goaltender that many have heralded as the goaltender of the future in the Canadian National Capital. Moreover, when you look at his numbers from his small NHL sample thus far, you’d be inclined to agree.
Merilainen was originally selected by the Sens in third round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. That, for Senator fans, is the memorable draft that brought them Tim Stutzle, Ridly Greig, Jake Sanderson, and a couple others as well. Now, it is Merilainen’s opportunity to succeed at the NHL level.
What’s Happening Between the Sens Pipes
As Leevi Merilainen signs, the Sens net has been a bit of a turn-style for a number of years now. However, with Anton Forsberg still a free agent, it seems that general manager Steve Staios is opting for youth. Along with Merilainen, Mads Sogaard is under an NHL contract for 2025-26, at $775K. Therefore, there is support there for the backup role. Of course, behind the starter, the one-time Vezina Trophy-winning, Linus Ullmark.
Statistically, Merilainen has been very strong for Ottawa. In 14 career NHL games, he boosts a .919 save percentage. Furthermore, this past season with Belleville, in 37 games, he held a .913 SV%. It seems he is ready for the responsibility of being either an NHL backup or third stringer. Here’s his shot.
Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
