Malcolm Subban's 2023-24 season ended rough when he played in one NHL game for the Columbus Blue Jackets and four games for the Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters. The veteran goaltender would go unsigned in the 2024 free agency.
It wouldn't be until late October that Subban would sign a one-year contract with the Belleville Senators. Subban was signed on Oct. 28 when Belleville was six games into its 2024-25 season.
Subban needed to have a steady 2024-25 season in between the pipes. In his first season in Belleville, Subban had a steady season with a new contract due.
Steady season could give Subban another shot in between the pipes with Belleville
In the 2023-24 season with Cleveland, Subban recorded a 4.56 goals against average and .853 save percentage while having an 0-3-0-0 record. In Belleville this past season, Subban was much better.
Subban finished the 2024-25 season with an 11-6-5-0 record with a 3.13 goals against average and .883 save percentage. Throughout the season, Subban embraced every chance he got and didn't lose confidence at 31 years old.
If Subban was to return to Belleville for next season, there could be a chance that he could get playing time given the Ottawa Senators' current goaltending situation.
Anton Forsberg is a free agent this Summer and his future in Ottawa could be uncertain. With inconsistency issues from this past season, the Senators may or may not want to bring Forsberg for another season. Leevi Merilainen was solid in his 12 NHL games and throughout the 2024-25 AHL season. Merilainen became one of the Senators' top prospects during the season.
This Summer, Merilainen is due for a new contract. If Forsberg doesn't re-sign and Merilainen re-signs, it could lead to Merilainen being Linus Ullmark's full-time backup goaltender at the start of the 2025-26 season.
That then leaves Mads Sogaard as the only goaltender in Belleville under contract for next season. Teams will need to carry goaltenders over the course of the season, and that is where Subban could be a fit again for Belleville.
The Senators facing goaltending uncertainty heading into next season could open the door for Subban to return to the AHL. Subban is still capable of being a reliable backup or a potential fringe starter in the AHL given what could happen this Summer with Ottawa and its goaltending free agents.