Goaltender Hunter Shepard turned into an AHL legend when he helped the Hershey Bears win back-to-back Calder Cups in 2023 and 2024.
This past offseason, the Ottawa Senators signed the 29-year-old to a one-year contract. With his solid AHL experience, Shepard had a solid chance to be the top goaltender in the AHL for the Belleville Senators.
Since joining the Senators, Shepard has been called up to the NHL, but hasn't played. However, with goaltending being an issue for the Senators, starting Shepard for one game soon may not be a bad idea after all.
Shepard has been solid in Belleville this season
Linus Ullmark's struggles this season are clear in Ottawa. Recently, Ullmark was named the worst goaltender in the NHL this season by MoneyPuck. Ullmark's backup, Leevi Merilainen, has only started two games this season. One of which was allowing in seven goals to the Buffalo Sabres.
Something the Senators have been doing this season is loaning Merilainen to the AHL to get playing time. Merilainen has made three AHL starts. When Merilainen has been loaned to the AHL, Ottawa has called up Shepard.
The times that Shepard has been called up, he hasn't played and was the backup goaltender for the game. However, with Ullmark's struggles and Merilainen still trying to find his game, giving Shepard a chance to start an NHL game soon could be a potential idea for the Senators.
After all, Shepard has been the best goaltender in Belleville this season. Shepard's numbers are better than Merilainen's, which some could find shocking considering Merilainen had a solid AHL season last year.
In four AHL starts, Shepard has won two of them. Shepard has recorded a 3.02 GAA and .906 save percentage. Shepard made at least 25 saves in three of his four starts this season. Shepard's season-high was 35 saves in a loss against the Bridgeport Islanders on Oct. 12.
Shepard has only played in five NHL games in his career with the Washington Capitals, and started just one game last season.
Even with low NHL experience, Shepard could be worth giving a shot to start an NHL game in Ottawa due to Ullmark's struggles, being called up already to the NHL even without playing and having solid AHL numbers.
If Ullmark continues to struggle, it can put the Senators in a tougher position with their goaltenders.