Ottawa Senators Review Goaltending Situation

The Ottawa Senators are taking a hard look at their goaltending situation, with president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios leading the review. The team's goaltending has been under scrutiny, particularly after a regular season where they ranked 29th in the league with an .870 save percentage and a 2.96 goals-against average. Despite Linus Ullmark's strong performance in the playoffs, the Senators need to determine their approach to the backup position, with Ullmark having never played more than 50 games in a season. Maciej Szwoch, the team's coordinator of goaltending scouting and development, is working closely with goalie coach Justin Peters to assess the team's netminding throughout the organization. The Senators used five goaltenders last season, including veteran James Reimer, who arrived in mid-January as an unrestricted free agent. Reimer has yet to decide whether he will play again next season, leaving the Senators to consider their options for a reliable backup. Leevi Merilainen, a 23-year-old restricted free agent, is expected to receive a qualifying offer, but the team may opt for a veteran backup to allow him time to develop. The Senators' review of their goaltending situation is crucial, with decisions to be made in the next two weeks that will impact the team's depth behind Ullmark. With the NHL draft and free agency approaching, the Senators need to make informed decisions to improve their goaltending and build on their playoff appearance. The team's focus on goaltending development is a key aspect of their strategy, with Szwoch and Peters working together to identify areas for improvement. As the Senators look to the future, their goaltending situation will be a major factor in determining their success.