Making sense of the Ottawa Senators goaltending situation

Ottawa has a very crowded crease at the professional level, with three goalies in the NHL and two very capable AHL goalies in Belleville, it will require good asset management by Pierre Dorion to simplify the goaltending situation

Ottawa has a surplus of goalies as of now, with five goalies split between Ottawa and Belleville, with three being young and in need of games the Senators have to make their minds up at this years trade deadline.

Veterans

Craig Anderson 

Ottawa (NHL) 7-13-2 (0.899 SV% 3.27 GAA)

Anderson is currently the longest tenured Senator and is regarded as the best goalie the Senators have ever had, but as he ages his future with the team more unlikely. With Nilsson likely to return sometime soon, there’s no way that Marcus Hogberg can be pushed out of games. Either Anderson is dealt at the deadline to a contending team to provide goaltending depth or is seeing time in the press box as the number three, there should be no in between.

Next Season: Retired or new team on one year deal

Anders Nilsson

Ottawa (NHL) 9-9-2 (0.908 SV% 3.18 GAA)

Nilsson was having a solid year for Ottawa and had all but solidified the starting job on the team before his concussion. If he returns before the end of the season it will most likely be him and Hogberg battling for starts as the Senators will look to find what they have for the future in Nilsson.

Next Season: Ottawa Senators Starting Goalie

Young Pros

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Marcus Hogberg

Ottawa (NHL) 2-4-7 (0.910 2.98 GAA)

After a really strong year in the AHL last year, Hogberg has now established himself as a capable NHL goalie. The 25-year old net minder has given the Senators a chance to win in basically every game he has played (telling by his record). He holds the best stats out of all Senators goalies which is really impressive for a goalie who didn’t start the season with the team. He is all but guaranteed a spot on the team next year, with his contract kicking into a one-way for the 2020-2021 season.

Next Season: Ottawa Senators Backup Goalie

Filip Gustavsson

Belleville (AHL) 13-5-2 (0.892 SV% 3.17 GAA)

Rebounding from a poor start to the season in Belleville, Gustavsson has found his form with Belleville recently hot play, highlighted by a few great saves he has been a standout in Belleville’s ascent to first in the Eastern Conference. Including winning six of his last seven starts Gustavsson is showing why Ottawa traded for him in the Derick Brassard trade. Look for him and Daccord to continue their platoon role next year with Belleville, with them getting looks in NHL games.

https://twitter.com/BellevilleSens/status/1224422490908381186

Next Season: Belleville Senators 1B

Joey Daccord

Belleville (AHL) 12-3-3 (0.919 SV% 2.53 GAA)

Daccord started the season in the ECHL in Brampton and many knew that wasn’t the place for him, he was easily capable of playing with Belleville. With injuries to goalies in Ottawa, Daccord got his chance and hasn’t disappointed. He has been the best goalie in Belleville by a considerable amount even including Hogberg, and is really pushing himself into consideration as Ottawa’s goalie of the future. He will most likely start the season in Belleville next season alongside Filip Gustavsson.

Next Season: Belleville Senators 1A

Juniors

Kevin Mandolese

Cape Breton (QMJHL) 20-7-1 (0.923 SV% 2.34 GAA)

Mandolese is having a break out year in the QMJHL, where he ranks first in the whole league in save percentage and third in goals against average. Mandolese has the makeup of an NHL goalie, he is big in his net at 6’4″ and is very technically sound, he doesn’t waste energy on extra movement and relies on his positioning to make saves. Ottawa is trying to sign Mandolese to an entry level deal in the coming days, so if Mandolese signs look for him to start the year in the ECHL  with Brampton.

Next Season: Brampton Beast Starter

Mads Sogaard

Medicine Hat (WHL) 16-11-2 (0.899 SV% 2.83 GAA)

Sogaard’s numbers have taken a step back during this season, this isn’t as worrying a development as it may seem, Sogaard is still a very raw prospect and despite being a second round draft pick last year, shouldn’t be seeing NHL time anytime soon. Look for Sogaard to finish the season strong and make a playoff run with a good Medicine Hat team. He will spend next year back in junior where he will refine his game even more before his first pro season.

Next Season: Medicine Hat Tigers Starter