The Ottawa Senators have a lot of work to do this offseason, with arguably the most important task being finding a capable backup goaltender. Last season, the Senators used five goaltenders: Linus Ullmark, Leevi Merilainen, Hunter Shepard, Mads Søgaard, and James Reimer. It can be said with certainty that Reimer won't be back, and Shepard was traded at the deadline for organizational depth.
according to Bruce Garrioch, Sogaard is most likely not being brought back this season, as he hasn't shown nearly enough to secure a spot in Ottawa's depth chart.
Merilainen is a restricted free agent who is expected to receive a qualifying offer this summer and could be in the running for the backup job. However, after a disastrous 8-10-3 season in which he posted an .860 save percentage, he would need to have an incredible training camp to earn the role. Even if he does, the organization appears to have lost trust in him as a full-time backup option, making it likely that Ottawa brings in a veteran stopgap. One of GM Steve Staios' biggest shortcomings last season was failing to have a contingency plan in place in net. There are a few options the Senators could explore this summer.
Stuart Skinner
The pending free agent is coming off a tumultuous season, splitting time between the Edmonton Oilers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. His numbers leave something to be desired, as he finished with an .888 save percentage. Skinner has had successful seasons in the past, and one constant throughout his career has been playing behind mediocre defensive teams. The Senators were one of the league's best defensive clubs last season, and Skinner's blocking style of goaltending could benefit significantly from Ottawa's structure. Reports suggest he could be one of the more sought-after goaltenders on the market this offseason, potentially earning upwards of $4 million annually.
Connor Ingram
The other goaltender in Edmonton last season will also be on the open market, although the Oilers will likely try to retain the 29-year-old. Ingram finished the year as Edmonton's starter and gave the club its best option in the playoffs. With a 16-10-3 record and a .899 save percentage, he was statistically better than Skinner. Ingram has also put together several respectable seasons, including strong campaigns with the now-defunct Arizona Coyotes. While Ingram shouldn't be expected to be a full-time starter, he can provide stability, which is something Ottawa desperately needs behind Ullmark. His game is built on technical soundness and precise movement, and pairing that style with the Senators' defensive structure could produce strong results.
Kevin Lankinen
Lankinen had a rough season on the Vancouver Canucks, but it's worth noting that much of the roster struggled as well. The Finnish goaltender finished the season 11-27-5 and an .875 SV%, and of course these numbers don't paint him in the best light, but the context matters. The season before that, he went 25-15-10 with a .902 SV%, and the seasons prior with the Nashville Predators, he had a .908 and a .916 SV%. Lankinen is a capable goaltender whose strengths lie in his positioning and hockey sense. Vancouver is unlikely to turn things around overnight, and the organization still needs to determine whether it's fully committed to a rebuild. If that's the case, moving a veteran backup for future assets could make sense.
Anthony Stolarz
After a career year in 2024-25 for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Stolarz experienced a few setbacks last season. He appeared in just 25 games, posting a 10-10-3 record and a .893 save percentage. The biggest concern surrounding Stolarz is undoubtedly his health; as the saying goes, the best ability is availability. That said, the Senators know firsthand what Stolarz can bring when healthy. He was one of the key reasons Ottawa was eliminated in the 2025 playoffs.
Toronto may also be motivated to move his contract, which still has three years remaining, in order to create a clearer path for its younger goaltenders. When healthy and playing at his best, Stolarz is an excellent goaltender. If the expectation is for him to play only 25 to 30 games behind Ullmark, with Merilainen also available as organizational depth, the arrangement could create an ideal rotation for the Senators.
Add us as a preferred source on Google