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2w ago

Senators Secure Merilainen to One-Year, $1.05 Million Deal Ahead of Free Agency

The deal protects the club from offer-sheet risks as it heads into July 1 free agency.

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Leevi Merilainen #1 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates his 2-0 shutout against the New York Islanders and is joined by Drake Batherson #19 at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.

Overview

  • Ottawa signed 22-year-old prospect Leevi Merilainen to a one-year, one-way contract worth US $1.05 million for 2025-26.
  • The new deal supersedes his earlier qualifying offer of US $813,500 in the NHL and US $80,000 in the AHL.
  • General manager Steve Staios moved swiftly to finalize terms to prevent rival teams from issuing an offer sheet under tight cap constraints.
  • Backup goaltender Anton Forsberg will test the unrestricted free-agent market on July 1 after not receiving a qualifying offer.
  • The Senators also extended qualifying offers to Xavier Bourgault, Max Guenette, Jan Jenik and Donovan Sebrango by Monday’s deadline.