Senators Eyeing External Backup Goaltender Acquisition

While free agency is still more than a month away, that isn’t stopping teams from starting to put together their offseason wish lists.  To that end, an upgrade at the backup goalie position is an obvious item for the Senators.  Leevi Merilainen (a pending restricted free agent) struggled mightily early on in the season and while James Reimer (a pending unrestricted free agent) was a serviceable midseason replacement, they should be setting their sights higher heading into the summer.

With that in mind, Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch relays that one of the netminders they’re expected to consider is pending UFA goaltender Stuart Skinner.  He added that there is a belief that the veteran will be one of their top targets in free agency, especially with the expectation that he won’t return to Pittsburgh.

Skinner had established himself as the starting goaltender for several years, at least for most of that stretch.  He was surpassed at times when he struggled but found his way back before long to the number one role.  The 27-year-old helped lead the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances, although they lost both times.

Edmonton opted to keep their goalie tandem intact from last spring, a decision that ultimately didn’t work out.  Skinner was inconsistent to start the season and was ultimately moved to Pittsburgh with the hopes that Tristan Jarry would be an upgrade.  (That wound up not being the case.)  Meanwhile, following the swap, he held his own in the back half of the year with the Penguins, posting a 2.99 GAA with a .885 SV% in 27 starts and played the first three games of their first-round loss to Philadelphia.

Skinner certainly isn’t going to be entering the UFA market as a sure-fire starting goaltender but the fact he has logged starter’s minutes would be appealing to a team like Ottawa.  While the Sens have a number one in Linus Ullmark, he has never played 50 games in a season before.  That makes getting someone capable of making 30-plus starts more important so Skinner would fit the bill.

It appears Ottawa GM Steve Staios isn’t just considering free agent options, however.  ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports (Twitter link) that Sabres goaltender Devon Levi is a name of interest for the Senators.

Levi was once viewed as Buffalo’s goalie of the future, especially after a strong showing in college and a 2023 debut that nearly led the Sabres to a playoff spot.  But things haven’t gone well since then with the team ultimately deciding the following two years that more time in the minors would be beneficial.  Coming into this season, the 24-year-old had a 3.29 GAA and a .894 SV% in 39 career NHL appearances.

He didn’t add to those totals in 2025-26.  In his final year of waiver exemption, Levi played exclusively with AHL Rochester, posting a 2.83 GAA and a .904 SV% in 52 games.  The 24-year-old is signed for next season already with his $812.5K AAV checking in below the minimum salary which will make him appealing.

With Buffalo already having Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis all under contract, there really isn’t room for Levi on the NHL roster next season.  And if they believe that they won’t be able to get Levi through waivers, looking to move him for some value in the coming weeks makes sense for them.

Levi would certainly represent a riskier pickup for Ottawa, however.  They hoped that they had a young goalie ready for the role in Merilainen this season but that didn’t work out.  Levi is only eight months older and while he has a bit more of a track record, he has yet to make it through a full NHL season yet.  There would be some upside for sure but the risk would be higher as well.

Staios will undoubtedly have other external pickups on his wish list heading into the annual offseason carousel of backups.  These are two of the younger players who could be in play; it will be interesting to see if they’ll consider some older shorter-term options as well or if their preference will be to aim for someone who could be in that spot for a few years.