Ottawa Senators goaltender Leevi Merilainen (1) makes a save against the Washington Capitals during third period NHL hockey action in Ottawa on Thursday, January 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
June 30, 2025 - 2:42 PM
OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators signed goalie Leevi Merilainen to a one-year, US$1.05-million contract extension Monday.
Merilainen, a Senators third-round draft pick in 2020, posted an 8-3-1 record with a 1.99 goals-against average, .925 save percentage and three shutouts in 12 regular-season NHL games last season.
The 22-year-old Finn spent the majority of his season with the American Hockey League's Belleville Senators, recording an 18-12-4 record with a .913 save percentage.
His new contract is a one-way deal, signalling he should replace Anton Forsberg as Linus Ullmark's backup in Ottawa.
Forsberg is set to become an unrestricted free agent when the market opens Tuesday. Merilainen was a pending restricted free agent before signing the one-year pact.
The Senators also announced they've extended qualifying offers to forwards Xavier Bourgault and Jan Jenik, and defencemen Max Guenette and Donovan Sebrango.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2025.
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