At the 2019 NHL Draft, the Ottawa Senators had high hope for Danish goaltender Mads Sogaard when they drafted him 37th overall. Since then, it can be fair to say that Sogaard hasn't lived up to being a second-round draft pick.
Sogaard has only played in 29 NHL games since being drafted. Sogaard has posted an 11-11-3 record with a 3.55 goals against average and .879 save percentage in his NHL career.
For the 2025-26 season, Sogaard is on the final year of his restricted contract at a salary of $775,000. Even with struggles and being on an expiring contract, there's still one person who believes Sogaard can turn it around.
Staios is "comfortable" with Sogaard
Today at a press conference, Senators general manager Steve Staios mentioned how he feels comfortable with young goaltenders Leevi Merilainen and Sogaard.
"We're comfortable with Leevi (Merilainen) and Mads (Sogaard) as well," Steve Staios.
— Julian McKenzie (@jkamckenzie) June 25, 2025
Being comfortable with Merilainen at 22 years old might not sound shocking due to his solid 12-game NHL stint in 2024-25, as well as his entire season in the AHL in Belleville. Merilainen is one of Ottawa's top prospects and is due for a new contract this Summer, but Sogaard is where the Senators can have some deep concern.
Sogaard has struggled in his career and needs to improve quickly. The 2024-25 season in both the NHL and AHL were rough for the 24-year-old. Sogaard played in just two NHL games due to the Senators having injuries in goal.
Sogaard went 1-1-0 with a 5.24 goals against average and .800 save percentage in the NHL. Although Sogaard got the win in the Senators' 8-7 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 14, Sogaard allowed four goals in relief of Anton Forsberg. In the other game in which Sogaard started, the Senators fell 4-2 to the Winnipeg Jets on Dec. 28.
In the AHL in 2024-25, Sogaard's numbers were worse. Sogaard recorded an 0-5-1 record with a 3.69 goals against average and .858 save percentage. Sogaard's last AHL start raised concern when he allowed in four goals on 12 shots on goal in 22:03. Sogaard missed the remainder of the 2024-25 season with an injury.
Sogaard will be facing immense pressure for the 2025-26 season to improve deeply. If Sogaard struggles yet again, it could put his Senators future in jeopardy. Being on the final year of his contract doesn't make it any easier for Sogaard at all.