Unexpected Shuffle: Ottawa Senators’ Bold Move Sends Merilainen Down, Sparks Questions with Sogaard Call-Up!
When the Ottawa Senators decided to send their backup goalie Leevi Meriläinen down to the AHL’s Belleville Senators this past Sunday, eyebrows certainly went up. At the same time, Mads Søgaard made the climb back to the big league, but hold on — this shuffle isn’t the cold shoulder some might assume after Meriläinen’s shaky NHL debut against Buffalo’s relentless attack. Nope, this move is far from a demotion; it’s a strategic play to get Meriläinen real ice time and shake off the cobwebs. With no consecutive game squeeze until late October, the Sens are clearly pacing their goalies — planning to lean on Ullmark heavily while preparing Meriläinen for when the schedule heats up again. It’s about sharpening skill and mindset, not benching a player after one rough outing. You gotta admire the patience and foresight behind this juggling act — sometimes, a little time in the AHL doing what you do best is the best medicine.
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