Ottawa Senators veteran goaltender targets to back up Linus Ullmark

The Ottawa Senators’ goaltending situation has undergone a remarkable transformation since the arrival of Linus Ullmark. With the former Vezina Trophy winner now firmly entrenched as the team’s number one netminder, the focus has shifted to identifying the right veteran presence to support him between the pipes. The backup goaltender role has become a critical position for a Senators team that made the playoffs in 2024-25 and is hungry for sustained success in the 2025-26 campaign.

As the organization navigates its goaltending depth chart, several veteran options have emerged as potential candidates to provide stability behind Ullmark. The decision carries significant weight, as the Senators learned during their playoff push that reliable goaltending depth can make or break a season. With Anton Forsberg departing for the Los Angeles Kings during free agency, the door has opened for a new veteran presence to step into the backup role.

Leevi Merilainen emerges as the primary Ottawa Senators veteran goaltender targets to back up Linus Ullmark

The most significant development in the Senators’ goaltending picture has been the emergence of 22-year-old Leevi Merilainen. Though not a traditional veteran by age, Merilainen’s performance during the 2024-25 season earned him the respect typically reserved for seasoned netminders. After being thrust into action during a turbulent stretch, the Finnish goaltender delivered when it mattered most, posting an impressive 8-3-1 record with three shutouts and a .925 save percentage across 12 games.

Merilainen’s heroics essentially saved the Senators’ season during a critical juncture. When both Ullmark and Forsberg were dealing with injuries and inconsistency, the young netminder stepped up and provided the stability Ottawa desperately needed. His performance was so impressive that the team rewarded him with a contract extension, signaling their confidence in his ability to handle the backup duties behind Ullmark.

The transition from prospect to reliable NHL backup hasn’t been without its challenges. Early in the 2025-26 season, Merilainen struggled in his first home start, allowing seven goals on 26 shots against the Buffalo Sabres for a disappointing .731 save percentage. The setback prompted the coaching staff to send him to Belleville for a brief conditioning stint to help him rediscover his form and confidence.

However, the organization’s faith in Merilainen remains unwavering. Coach Travis Green and the front office understand that growing pains are part of the development process. The young goaltender has demonstrated exceptional skills at every level he’s played, from setting rookie records in Finland’s Liiga to excelling in both the AHL and ECHL. His ability to bounce back from adversity will be crucial as he settles into his role as Ullmark’s primary backup.

What makes Merilainen particularly attractive as a backup option is his calm demeanor and ability to handle pressure situations. Standing 6-foot-1, he possesses excellent positioning and reads the game exceptionally well for someone his age. His three shutouts in limited action last season demonstrated his capability to dominate when he’s locked in. The Senators are betting that his rough start to 2025-26 was an aberration rather than a trend, and his track record suggests they’re right to believe in him.

The decision to elevate Merilainen to the full-time backup role also reflects the Senators’ broader organizational philosophy. Rather than investing significant cap space in a veteran insurance policy, the team is choosing to develop from within while maintaining flexibility for other roster needs. This approach has become increasingly common throughout the NHL, as teams recognize the value of having cost-controlled young goaltenders who can provide quality minutes.

Hunter Shepard provides experienced depth as Ottawa Senators veteran goaltender targets to back up Linus Ullmark

When the Senators need to give Ullmark a maintenance day or Merilainen requires additional seasoning in Belleville, the organization turns to Hunter Shepard. The 29-year-old American goaltender brings a wealth of championship pedigree to the organization, having won titles at both the NCAA and AHL levels. Shepard’s journey to the Senators organization is a testament to perseverance and consistent excellence at every stop along his career path.

According to reports from the Ottawa Citizen, Shepard was recalled from Belleville when the team wanted to give Ullmark a full day off before a game in Chicago. Coach Travis Green explained the decision, noting, “It’s a good mental break where he doesn’t have to think about hockey and grinding. We’ve played a lot of hockey. It’s not just playing, you’re dealing with media, you’re grinding. So, tonight, we thought it made sense that if he wasn’t starting that he didn’t back up.”

Shepard’s collegiate career at Minnesota-Duluth was nothing short of spectacular. He earned NCHC First All-Star Team honors in both 2019 and 2020 and was named to the NCAA (West) First All-American Team in 2019. His crowning achievement came when he backstopped Minnesota-Duluth to an NCAA championship, showcasing his ability to perform under the brightest lights. These accomplishments laid the foundation for his professional career with the Washington Capitals organization.

After spending five seasons in the Capitals system, Shepard appeared in five NHL games with Washington while establishing himself as a reliable AHL netminder with the Hershey Bears. His championship experience continued at the professional level, as he was part of two Calder Cup championship teams with Hershey. This winning pedigree made him an attractive target when he hit free agency, and the Senators moved quickly to add him to their organizational depth.

In his current role with the Belleville Senators, Shepard has posted a .910 save percentage and 2.69 goals-against average across three appearances in the 2025-26 season. While these numbers represent a small sample size, they demonstrate his readiness to contribute when called upon. His familiarity with the AHL allows him to maintain game sharpness while serving as insurance for the NHL club.

The veteran’s presence in Belleville also provides invaluable mentorship for younger goaltenders in the system. His championship experience and professional approach set a standard for prospects like Jackson Parsons and others working their way through the pipeline. This dual role as both emergency NHL option and developmental mentor makes Shepard a valuable asset to the organization beyond just his on-ice contributions.

Mads Sogaard’s injury concerns complicate Ottawa Senators veteran goaltender targets to back up Linus Ullmark

The towering 6-foot-7 Danish goaltender Mads Sogaard represents both tremendous potential and frustrating uncertainty for the Senators’ goaltending depth. Once viewed as a cornerstone of the franchise’s future in net, Sogaard’s career has been derailed by a persistent string of injuries that have prevented him from establishing any meaningful momentum at the professional level.

During the 2024-25 season, Sogaard managed just 10 games across the NHL and AHL combined, spending most of the campaign sidelined with various ailments. This unfortunate pattern has become all too familiar for the Danish netminder, who has struggled to stay healthy throughout his time in North America. His latest setback occurred during a game against the Toronto Marlies, when he played just three minutes and 45 seconds before leaving following a collision in the first period.

When healthy, Sogaard possesses the physical tools and technical skills to become an impact NHL goaltender. His exceptional size gives him a natural advantage in covering the net, and he’s shown flashes of brilliance during limited opportunities. The organization hasn’t given up on him entirely, as evidenced by his continued presence on the organizational depth chart, but his role has been significantly diminished due to reliability concerns.

The emergence of Merilainen has effectively pushed Sogaard down the depth chart and altered his trajectory within the organization. Where Sogaard once seemed destined to be Ottawa’s goaltender of the future, that mantle has now passed to the younger Finnish netminder. This shift isn’t necessarily permanent, but Sogaard will need to prove he can stay healthy for an extended period to reclaim his status as a legitimate NHL prospect.

Currently, Sogaard is expected to serve as the starter for Belleville when he’s available, competing with Shepard and Jackson Parsons for playing time. His 0-1-1 record through three starts this season, accompanied by an .830 save percentage and 3.80 goals-against average, indicates he’s still searching for his form. These struggles, combined with his injury history, make it unlikely he’ll factor into the NHL backup conversation in the immediate future.

The Anton Forsberg departure creates opportunities for Ottawa Senators veteran goaltender targets to back up Linus Ullmark

The departure of Anton Forsberg to the Los Angeles Kings during the 2025 offseason created the vacancy that has led to the current backup goaltender competition. Forsberg served as Ullmark’s backup throughout the 2024-25 campaign, providing veteran stability and championship experience. His decision to sign with the Kings opened the door for younger goaltenders to step into more prominent roles within the Ottawa organization.

Forsberg’s tenure with the Senators was marked by ups and downs, as he battled through inconsistency and injuries during his time in the nation’s capital. However, his veteran presence in the locker room and ability to provide spot starts when needed made him a valuable member of the team. The decision not to re-sign him represented a calculated risk by general manager Steve Staios, who chose to invest in youth and flexibility rather than veteran security.

The move also reflected the organization’s confidence in their goaltending pipeline. With Merilainen showing he could handle NHL action and several promising prospects developing in the system, the Senators felt comfortable allowing Forsberg to explore free agency. This decision has proven largely successful, though the early-season struggles of both Ullmark and Merilainen created some moments of concern.

Forsberg’s departure to Hollywood ultimately validated the Senators’ approach. The Kings were willing to offer him a guaranteed NHL role, something Ottawa couldn’t promise with Merilainen’s emergence. The transition has allowed the younger goaltender to take on more responsibility while providing the Senators with additional salary cap flexibility to address other roster needs.

Organizational goaltending depth supports Ottawa Senators veteran goaltender targets to back up Linus Ullmark

Beyond the NHL roster, the Senators have built impressive depth throughout their goaltending pipeline. Jackson Parsons, fresh off winning the OHL’s Goaltender of the Year award, signed an entry-level contract and is pushing for playing time in Belleville. The Ottawa native posted a remarkable 37-12-3 record with Kitchener, backstopping the Rangers to a deep playoff run with a .920 save percentage.

Parsons represents the next wave of goaltending talent within the organization. His ability to handle a heavy workload and excel in pressure situations during the OHL playoffs demonstrated maturity beyond his years. As he transitions to professional hockey, the Senators are carefully managing his development, allowing him to compete for playing time in Belleville while learning from veterans like Shepard.

The organization has also added intriguing prospects through recent drafts. Lucas Beckman, selected in the fourth round of the 2025 draft, returns to the QMJHL after leading the league in regular-season wins. Seventh-round pick Andrei Trofimov posted a .929 save percentage in Russia’s junior league. These additions ensure the pipeline remains stocked with potential future options.

Kevin Reidler, a towering 6-foot-6 netminder, transferred to Penn State after two seasons at Nebraska-Omaha. His development will be worth monitoring as he competes in the Big Ten alongside elite prospects like Gavin McKenna. This depth throughout the system provides the Senators with both security and trade assets as they continue building toward sustained contention.

The comprehensive approach to goaltending development reflects lessons learned from years of instability at the position. By investing in multiple prospects and maintaining veteran depth options, the organization has insulated itself against injury and regression. This strategy should serve them well as they navigate the critical 2025-26 season and beyond.

Load management strategy protects Ottawa Senators veteran goaltender targets to back up Linus Ullmark

The Senators’ approach to managing Ullmark’s workload has become a defining characteristic of their 2025-26 season. The decision to recall Shepard to give Ullmark a complete day off, rather than simply having him dress as backup, demonstrates a thoughtful approach to load management. This strategy recognizes that the mental grind of an NHL season can be as taxing as the physical demands.

Similar careful management of their goaltending has been a theme throughout the season, as the organization learned from previous seasons when overworked goaltenders broke down at critical moments. Ullmark’s history of back injuries makes this approach even more prudent, as the team needs him healthy and sharp for a potential playoff run.

The strategy also benefits Merilainen’s development. Rather than throwing him into a heavy workload immediately, the Senators are carefully choosing his starts to maximize his chances for success. When he struggled early in the season, they didn’t hesitate to send him to Belleville to work through issues in a lower-pressure environment. This patience should pay dividends as the season progresses.

Green’s willingness to utilize all available resources, including emergency recalls like Shepard, demonstrates organizational depth and planning. The coaching staff isn’t afraid to make unconventional moves if they believe it benefits the team long-term. This flexibility has become crucial as they navigate the compressed modern NHL schedule with its demanding travel requirements.

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The Ottawa Senators’ goaltending situation has evolved significantly from the dark days of searching for stability. With Ullmark anchoring the position and Merilainen developing into a reliable backup, the organization has finally found the formula that eluded them for years. The addition of experienced depth options like Shepard and a robust prospect pipeline ensures the team can weather injuries and maintain competitive goaltending throughout the season.

As the 2025-26 campaign progresses, the Senators’ careful management of their goaltending resources will be tested. The offensive firepower provided by stars like Drake Batherson and Tim Stützle gives their goaltenders a chance to succeed, but consistent performance between the pipes remains essential. The organization’s investment in goaltending depth and development should position them well for both immediate success and long-term stability at hockey’s most critical position.