The man who is the Ottawa Senators insider let us know what’s happening and some rumours looking ahead for the team. It is mostly beyond this season, but there is also one important injury update for this season. The other topics included one involving the naming rights for their current home in Kanata, Ontario. As well, understanding the Sens goaltending carousel for the upcoming 2025-26 campaign. So, let’s down and grimey!
Coming up with QP on @TSNHockey #Sens Few tidbits for you.
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) April 1, 2025
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Lots of Ottawa Senators Rumours Abound
The first one to discuss is the one we just mentioned, the 2025-26 goaltending situation. Garrioch brings up an interesting point, one that we shall elaborate on. First, let’s consider the three potential back-ups’ current contract status for 2025-26. Anton Forsberg is an unrestricted free agent (UFA) and at an age (32) for goaltenders where he can maintain a very high, personal level of play. Therefore, he is likely looking for around the same ballpark as this year ($2.75M). What this means is that general manager Steve Staios and crew are interested in reevaluating their situation. Basically, seeing if they can save money while upgrading their system.
| Name | Age | GP (NHL) | Record | SO | GAA | SV% | GSAA | 25-26 Status |
| Anton Forsberg | 32 | 138 (186) | 60-55-9 | 7 | 2.99 | .906 | 4.3 | UFA |
| Mads Sogaard | 24 | 29 (29) | 11-11-03 | 0 | 3.55 | .879 | -18.6 | NHL, $775K |
| Leevi Merilainen | 22 | 14 (14) | 8-4-2 | 3 | 2.25 | .919 | 5.5 | RFA |
The next goalie to discuss is Mads Sogaard. Sogaard is an example of the player who’s been given plenty of opportunity with the Ottawa Senators. If you look back to the year he turned 18, it’s easy to see why he was so highly-touted. That season he posted a .921 SV% for the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers. However, as his career has progressed and now he’s 24 years old, he has spent far too often injured and unable to play full seasons. As a result, his career trajectory has paid the price at this point.
Merilainen is the Man Among the Ottawa Senators Prospect List
It doesn’t really make sense to rank him above of Merilainen on the team’s organizational depth chart. Now as we discuss Ottawa Senators rumours, we will say his one-way, NHL contract for ’25-26 is advantageous for his own standing, in that it is only valued at $775K. Bruce Garrioch suggested that perhaps the Senators could buy him out. This is because it would only be at a fraction of the cost given his free agent status as a 24-year-old. That would about a third of that 775K.
Maybe up there with Stephen Halliday and his 6’4″ frame putting up 44 points on the farm. But, why are we even discussing about the reason? We can only discuss a buyout because of the development of Finnish goaltender Leevi Merilainen. As we can see by his stats, Merilainen has played very well for Ottawa when he’s been called upon. It seems that he is ready for a back-up role in the NHL behind the incumbent starter Linus Ullmark. He is an RFA, so the Sens would have to give him a deal that works for both sides.
In contrast, perhaps it makes sense to keep Sogaard. That way you can run a back-up to Merilainen, as a backup. It’s only the contract status that holds Sogaard back, so he would be subjected to the waiver wire, if in fact he would play in Belleville next season. Of course, the Sens could always look at bringing back Forsberg. However, as we suggested the price tag probably isn’t worth the value. Especially so, when you do have a more than capable Merilainen in there already.
More Rumours for the Ottawa Senators This Time on Their Arena
Another one of the rumours passed on by Garrioch was the naming rights to the Sens home, the Canadian Tire Centre. Canadian Tire has owned the naming right back to 2013. It does seem that the team will decide to go with Canadian Tire once again to maintain the name of the arena in Kanata, Ontario. It’s good to be loyal to those who have been loyal to you.
Nick Cousins, who has been skating in his own, is expected to skate with the team for the 1st time Thursday morning.
We are told he is ahead of schedule. As he said on our show after the injury, he was targeting a mid april return. #GoSensGo— Coming In Hot (@ComingInHotSens) April 2, 2025
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Finally, a Current Rumour for Fans to Get Excited Over
One last update is regarding Nick Cousin. Cousins has been injured for a while. In fact, on the long-term injury reserved, which did in help them pick up players like Fabian Zetterlund at the trade deadline. Cousins has played a very reliable game picking up five goals and eight assists through 47 contests. His status remains unknown in terms of when he will return, but it was said to be mid-April. However, he is getting close and any extra help for the playoffs, as we all know is welcome. See Adam Gaudette’s lack of production if you need a reason why.
Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
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