In a bit of unsurprising news for Ottawa Senators fans, they have nailed down a new Leevi Merilainen contract, as we go through the NHL free agent frenzy period. The deal is for one year at $1.1 million. You know what it is, time to get sensational.
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Leevi Merilainen Contract Comes In at One Year
Realistically, this was a bit of a trickier contract to come to terms with, for both sides. When it comes down to dollars and cents, the contract negotiation process can be a grueling step. Case in point, Leevi Merilainen.
#Sens re-sign G Leevi Merilainen: 1 x $1.1 million
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) July 2, 2026
When it comes to making the case for a bigger contract, Merilainen would draw upon his 2024-25 run with the Ottawa Senators. That season he had a .925 save percentage in a small sample size of 12 games in the NHL. Moreover, to wrap up the 2025-26 campaign, with the AHL’s Belleville Senators, he finished with a .909 save percentage, with 19 games played. This is the upside.
Unfortunately, given the ruthless nature of contract negotiations, the organizational management side of things, would be weary of his .860 save percentage in 20 games the past season in the NHL. On the other hand, Ottawa definitely does not want to put pressure on the young Merilainen. Including his last year overseas, in Finland with Karpat, the upcoming 2026-27 is still only his fifth season of professional hockey. Furthermore, it seems the general manager Steve Staios and staff like Merilainen, and are willing to give him a shot.
Having brought in Samuel Ersson and now at a much higher level, basically just sets the depth chart going into camp. It allows Merilainen to focus on being at his best, even if that is at the AHL level. Then, when his opportunity comes, the pressure won’t be there like it was in 2025-26.
Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
