Senators lose Leevi Merilainen on waivers and pick up Jonas Johansson from Tampa Bay

# What happened

# Why Ottawa made the move Ottawa's NHL roster already includes Linus Ullmark as the starter and Samuel Ersson under a two-year deal as the backup. Head coach Travis Green said the club had no intention of keeping three goalies on the NHL roster, so Merilainen became the odd man out despite his past success when called upon.

Merilainen's recent results influenced the decision. Last season he went 8-10-1 with an.860 save percentage and a 3.51 goals-against average. In a preseason game before the waiver transaction he allowed six goals on 27 shots against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

# Johansson Jonas Johansson, 31, has played 105 NHL games since debuting in 2019-20. He spent time in the Buffalo, Colorado and Florida organizations before joining Tampa Bay in 2023-24. In 25 games in 2025-26 he posted an 11-10-2 record with a 3.29 goals-against average and a.884 save percentage. Johansson already cleared waivers, which means the Senators can assign him to Belleville without risk of losing him on waivers.

Merilainen was claimed. Acquiring him for future considerations gives Ottawa a goaltender with NHL experience to rebuild depth at the position.

# What this means for Merilainen and the Senators Merilainen is now with the Canucks, who need depth in goal because of injuries. Ottawa retains a potential path back to him: if Vancouver tries to send Merilainen to their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford, the Senators would have the right to reclaim him and bring him back to Ottawa.

For Ottawa, the transaction keeps the NHL crease staffed with Ullmark and Ersson while replacing a lost depth option with a veteran who can be moved freely between NHL and AHL levels.

# Immediate practical takeaways

• Ottawa replaced a younger, waiver-exposed prospect with a veteran goaltender who can be assigned to the AHL without clearing waivers.
• Merilainen's NHL future now depends on Vancouver's roster decisions and health situation in their crease.
• Johansson's arrival stabilizes Ottawa's organizational depth at goaltender ahead of the regular season.

# Bottom line Merilainen to waivers to manage a two-goalie NHL roster. They lost that bet when Vancouver claimed Merilainen but moved promptly to secure Jonas Johansson, a goaltender who has cleared waivers and can serve as depth in Belleville or move into an NHL role if needed.