What Happened
The Vancouver Canucks claimed goaltender Leevi Merilainen off waivers from the Ottawa Senators, the team announced Friday. The 24-year-old became available after Ottawa settled on Samuel Ersson as the backup to Linus Ullmark. Merilainen split last season between the NHL and the AHL, appearing in 20 games for the Senators and 19 for the Belleville Senators.
Key Details
- Merilainen, 24, was claimed by Vancouver off waivers from Ottawa on Friday.
- Ottawa went with Samuel Ersson as Linus Ullmark's backup, leaving Merilainen as the odd goaltender out.
- He went 8-10-1 with a 3.51 GAA and .860 save percentage in 20 NHL games last season.
- In 19 AHL games with Belleville, he posted an 8-8-2 record, 2.77 GAA, .909 save percentage and two shutouts.
- Career NHL totals: 34 games, 16-14-3, 3.00 GAA, .885 save percentage and three shutouts.
- Ottawa drafted him in the third round in 2020; he won 2022 world junior silver with Finland.
What It Means
Vancouver adds a 24-year-old goaltender with NHL and AHL experience to its depth chart at the position. For Ottawa, the move confirms Ersson as the full-time backup behind Ullmark. Merilainen's AHL numbers last season were stronger than his NHL results, and he arrives in Vancouver with 34 career NHL games on his resume.