A fast fall
The move came less than 24 hours after Merilainen surrendered six goals in a 6-1 preseason loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, September 23. A league executive quoted on the situation didn't hold back, saying of Merilainen: "He looks like he has no idea what he's supposed to do as a goalie."
Merilainen is making $1.1 million US on the contract he signed. The Senators picked him 71st overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, and he made his NHL debut on April 4, 2023, giving Ottawa fans a few seasons to watch him develop before this week's abrupt turn.
Who could claim him
Two teams missing their starting goaltenders are considered possible claimants. The Winnipeg Jets are without starting goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, and the Vancouver Canucks are without Thatcher Demko, leaving both clubs searching for depth in net. If no team puts in a claim, Merilainen will be assigned to the Senators' AHL affiliate in Belleville.
What it means for Ottawa's crease
With Merilainen off the roster, Samuel Ersson is now positioned as the Senators' backup goaltender. Ersson was acquired in a deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier this offseason and brings a 3.01 goals-against average and an .884 save percentage across 143 career NHL games, giving Ottawa a more experienced option behind the starter as the season approaches.
What led here
The waiver move caps a rough stretch for the Senators' goaltending depth. Ottawa dropped both ends of a split-squad preseason doubleheader against the Maple Leafs earlier in the week, losing 4-2 at Canadian Tire Centre and 6-1 at Scotiabank Arena, the same 6-1 game in which Merilainen allowed all six goals before being pulled. That night also saw defenceman Carter Yakemchuk take a hard late hit, and Tim Stützle score Ottawa's only goal. You can read more in ottown's earlier report on the split-squad losses.
What's next
The Senators begin their regular season on October 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the same opponent that has loomed large over Ottawa's preseason. Whether Merilainen is claimed by Winnipeg, Vancouver, or clears waivers for Belleville should be known well before puck drop, and it will shape who's backing up the crease when the games start counting for Ottawa.
Sources: Yahoo News Canada (Postmedia), TSN
