Ottawa Senators Sign Finnish Goaltender

The Ottawa Senators have handled some internal business as the team has announced they have signed Finnish goaltender Leevi Meriläinen to a two-year entry-level contract.

Merilainen was a third-round pick of the Senators at the 2020 draft and is starting to develop into a high-level prospect with a huge ceiling. The netminder showed off some of his skills this season with a .934 save % in 22 games for Karpat Under 20's.

Ottawa Senators signed goaltender Leevi Meriläinen to a three-year entry-level contract. The 18-year old was a #GoSensGo 2020 3rd round pick (71st), recorded a .934SV% in 22GP this season with Kärpät U20. #Sens pic.twitter.com/BS5MQwzwYa

— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) June 14, 2021

It's expected the 6'2 158pound Merilainen will spend the next two seasons in Finland, before making the trip across the pond. Once he gets into training camp with the Senators, it will be a touch and go scenario, depending on how well he's playing and if he can prove he's able to handle the pressures of the NHL.

For now, Sens fans continue to hope Matt Murray can turn it around and find his groove in Ottawa this season, and look for the team to sign a veteran netminder to push Murray for minutes. 

Photo credit: Senators Twitter