In the 2024-25 season, both the Ottawa Senators and Belleville Senators saw an incredible rise from goaltender Leevi Merilainen. Had Merilainen not have his 12-game surge during the Winter when both Linus Ullmark and Anton Forsberg were injured, Ottawa's chances at a 2025 playoff spot could've shrunk.
This upcoming 2025-26 season, Merilainen is expected to rise more in the NHL after Forsberg signed a contract in free agency with the Los Angeles Kings. With the season he had in both the NHL and AHL last season, Merilainen has high potential to be a solid backup for Ullmark.
With Merilainen due for more NHL experience in Ottawa, Belleville will need a goaltender to stand out. At the moment, Jackson Parsons, Hunter Shepard and Mads Sogaard can be battling for the top position. However, there's reason why Sogaard might be the odd man out among the three goaltenders.
Sogaard's struggles along with Parsons and Shepard's better season last year might put Sogaard's play in question
Along with Merilainen expected for more NHL experience, Malcolm Subban didn't re-sign in Belleville this free agency. With under two months before Belleville begins its 2025-26 season, the team has three goaltenders who can compete to be the top goaltender on the depth chart. However, Sogaard could be the odd man out.
Last season in Belleville, Sogaard had struggles. While playing in eight games, Sogaard posted an 0-5-1 record with a 3.69 goals against average and .858 save percentage. Sogaard last played an AHL game once he suffered an injury back in January.
Sogaard's teammates in 2024-25 were better. Over the past three seasons, Shepard was solid with the Hershey Bears. In 2023 and 2024, Shepard helped Hershey win back-to-back Calder Cup championships. However, Shepard's 2.80 GAA last season was the highest in his AHL career for a single season, but he still has had success in goal to earn starts. Now at 29 years old, Shepard has a fresh start in Belleville.
Parsons is in a different position than both Sogaard and Shepard. Although Parsons has never played in an AHL game, he had the biggest season of his hockey career last season in the OHL with the Kitchener Rangers.
In 52 games, Parsons won 37 games and posted a 2.24 GAA, .920 save percentage and five shutouts. At 20 years old, Parsons is destined to grow his game more in the AHL after signing a three-year contract this Summer.
At 24 years old, Sogaard is facing pressure this season with his struggles and dealing with injuries. This season, Sogaard is entering the final year of his contract. With being a free agent after this season, Sogaard needs to deliver. However, two other solid goaltenders on Belleville's roster could question how many starts Sogaard gets this upcoming season.
Belleville will begin its 2025-26 season when they travel to PPL Center to face the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Oct. 11.