Leevi Merilainen: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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2025-26 has not been a good season for Leevi Merilainen. After Linus Ullmark took a leave of absence from the team, the Ottawa Senators were forced to rely heavily on their rookie backup, and it did not go well.

Ottawa Senators News / Daily Faceoff / January 21

‘Embarrassed’ Jake Sanderson apologized to Leevi Merilainen for postgame comments

A player is walking back his comments regarding one of his teammates. On Tuesday, Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson told the media that he had apologized to goaltender Leevi Meriläinen for his remarks following a 6-5 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.

Ottawa Senators News / Professor Press Box / January 20

Sanderson Apologizes to Merilainen After Heated Comments

Hockey’s intense. You’re racing, checking, thinking five moves ahead. But when things go wrong, emotions spill over. That’s what happened with Jake Sanderson after the Ottawa Senators’ recent 4-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

Patrick Kane News / Yardbarker Quizzes

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Ottawa Senators News / Pro Hockey Rumors / January 20

Senators Recall Hunter Shepard, Reassign Leevi Merilainen

There are more moving parts between the pipes for the Ottawa Senators. The Senators announced that they’ve recalled netminder Hunter Shepard from the AHL’s Belleville Senators and reassigned Leevi Merilainen in a corresponding roster move.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The 25 best NHL agitators of all-time

There's more to hockey than scoring goals and stopping pucks. For some players, putting up points came second to their main task: angering their opponents.

Ottawa Senators News / Daily Faceoff / January 19

What has been the cause of Leevi Merilainen’s struggles?

Things have not been going well in the nation’s capital, and the man behind the mask is wearing the brunt of the team’s criticism. The Ottawa Senators have gone from a team projected to be in the top three in the Atlantic Division to a squad that might be in the running for a lottery spot.

Ottawa Senators News / Daily Faceoff / January 18

‘You’ve got to make more than 10 saves to win a game’: Senators’ Sanderson on Merilainen’s struggles

The problems continue to pile up for the Ottawa Senators. The last two weeks have been straight out of a nightmare for the Senators, largely related to their goaltending, whether the problem has been on the ice or off it.

Ottawa Senators News / Professor Press Box / January 8

Linus Ullmark Removed from the Senators’ Roster

Things have been tough for Linus Ullmark lately. Until late December, he was in solid form. Through 28 games, he had a 14-8-5 record with a 2.95 GAA and an .881 save percentage.

NHL News / Daily Faceoff / January 5

NHL DFS Picks for January 5, 2026: Top Stacks, Best Value Plays & Goalie Targets

Happy New Year, everyone! It is Monday, January 5th, 2026. Five-game slate on tap tonight. Detroit Power Play 1 (JVR, Seider, Larkin, DeBrincat, Raymond) There are only five games tonight, and three have a 5.5 total, so goals should be at a premium tonight.

Ottawa Senators News / Pro Hockey Rumors / November 1

Senators make backup-goaltender swap ahead of bout with Canadiens

The Senators continue to swap out their backup goalies.

Ottawa Senators News / The Hockey Writers / October 19

Senators Send Merilainen to AHL, Recall Mads Sogaard as Backup

The Ottawa Senators have announced that they have sent goaltender Leevi Merilainen to the American Hockey League (AHL) and have recalled Mads Sogaard, who is expected to take the backup job behind Linus Ullmark.

Ottawa Senators News / The Hockey Writers / September 5

Senators 2025-26 Player Preview: Leevi Merilainen

With the 2025-26 season approaching quickly, it is time to start looking at what the Ottawa Senators have to work with. They finally made it back to the playoffs, but this season is going to be about building off the success they found last season.

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Ottawa Senators News / Pro Hockey Rumors / June 30

Senators sign rising goaltender to one-year extension

The Senators agreed to a one-year, $1.05MM contract extension with goaltender Leevi Merilainen before today’s qualifying offer deadline, the team said.

Ottawa Senators News / Pro Hockey Rumors / June 25

Senators Notes: First-Round Pick, Forsberg, Merilainen, Søgaard

After qualifying for the postseason for the first time since the 2016-17 season, speculation began that the Ottawa Senators could look to make a notable addition this summer to continue their winning ways.

Ottawa Senators News / Silver Seven / June 17

2025 Ottawa Senators Prospect Awards - Most Improved

Let's cut to the chase here – Leevi Merilainen took this one, and it wasn't even close, with over 59% of the vote. The 22-year-old goaltender, after putting up a .906 save percentage in the AHL and a .913 in the ECHL, went many steps further this season.

Ottawa Senators News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 19

Senators recall season's unsung hero for playoff run

The 22-year-old certainly impressed in his limited NHL action this season.

Senators’ Brady Tkachuk leaves game against Hurricanes for precautionary reasons

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Ottawa Senators News / The Hockey Writers / February 19

Ottawa Senators Prospect of the Week – Leevi Merilainen

While the Ottawa Senators were busy with the 4 Nations Face-Off last week, their prospects had a field day on the long weekend. Eight players recorded at least a point per game last week with four more falling just one below, and two of the three goalies who played recorded at least one shutout.

NHL News / NHL Trade Talk / February 2

Three Takeaways as the Senators Dominate the Wild 6-0

The Ottawa Senators delivered an impressive 6-0 win over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night, wrapping up a perfect 4-0-0 homestand. With a dominant game across the board, the Senators had a standout night, from Leevi Merilainen’s shutout in net to their high-powered offense.

Ottawa Senators News / Field Level Media / February 1

Jake Sanderson, Leevi Merilainen fuel Senators in rout of Wild

Defenseman Jake Sanderson collected a goal and three assists and rookie Leevi Merilainen faced just 16 shots for his third shutout this season, lifting the Ottawa Senators to a 6-0 victory over the visiting Minnesota Wild on Saturday.

Ottawa Senators News / NHL Trade Talk / January 29, 2025

Ottawa Senators News & Rumors: Ullmark, Merilainen, Anderson

In today’s Ottawa Senators News & Rumours report, I’ll take a look at two of the Senators top goalies. One is current, and the other is from the past.

Ottawa Senators News / Breakaway on SI / January 19, 2025

Rookie Goalie Keeping Senators Playoff Hopes Alive

While the Ottawa Senators navigate the second half of the regular season without their starting goalie, their playoff hopes remain alive. That's in no small part due to the play of their rookie goaltender Leevi Merilainen, who has helped the team bring their record to 23-18-4 through 45 games.

Ottawa Senators News / Field Level Media / January 14, 2025