The Ottawa Senators made one other roster lower on Sept. 30, however this time a lot smaller than the final. Leevi Merilainen, Filip Roos, and Donovan Sebrango have been all assigned to the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League (AHL), and winger Nikolay Kulemin was launched from his skilled tryout.
With only a few spots nonetheless out there, the Senators are reducing the roster again by a number of extra names.
Merilainen Hopes For Stronger AHL Season
The expectation was all the time that Merilainen can be despatched to the AHL. He’s the fourth goalie within the organizational depth chart behind Linus Ullmark, Anton Forsberg, and Mads Sogaard. With that being mentioned, Merilainen continues to be a prospect with a number of promise however will search for a greater AHL season to assist take the subsequent step in his growth.
At simply 22 years outdated, there may be nonetheless a number of runway for Merilainen. He had an exceptional begin to his professional profession in Finland, posting a .917 save share (SV%) which landed him second in the whole league, and led the league and set a rookie document with eight shutouts. After coming to North America and becoming a member of the AHL group, Merilainen posted a .933 SV% in 4 video games. In his first full season with the Senators group, he break up time between the ECHL and AHL, the place his numbers have been predictably higher within the ECHL with a .926 SV% and a .906 SV% within the AHL.
Relying on the Senators’ plan with Sogaard, whether or not they run with three goaltenders within the NHL or not, which is unlikely, Merilainen is certain to get much more AHL time both method. He will probably be enjoying behind Sogaard, however with damage issues with Forsberg, Sogaard might see s honest quantity of NHL time this season.
Roos, Sebrango Wanting For Good Growth
After not being certified by the Chicago Blackhawks, Roos signed with the Senators and might present good depth within the AHL on the left facet of the protection. There wasn’t a lot of an opportunity for him to make the NHL squad because it was clear the group had their eyes set on Tyler Kleven for the third-pair spot that was open. With that being mentioned, Roos did additionally battle within the preseason and didn’t fairly look in control. The AHL is a greater place for him to play, and present the Senators they will belief him.
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As for Sebrango, being the one participant on the roster instantly from the Alex DeBrincat commerce doesn’t essentially make him extra helpful to the group, particularly with new administration, however among the many fanbase, it might be nice to see Sebrango work out. He does have the potential to turn into a third-pair defenseman, however once more, with Kleven being the man for the spot, there wasn’t a lot of an opportunity for him.
Each gamers might want to play properly within the AHL and supply the group with robust stability on the protection group. The group traditionally hasn’t had a powerful protection, so getting prospects and gamers down there that may assist is not going to solely assist these ones, however everybody on the group with their growth.
Senators Launch Kulemin From PTO
A Cinderella-esque story for Kulemin and his comeback to the NHL would have been an ideal story to comply with alongside all year long, however at 38 years outdated, the 10-year NHL veteran was a longshot to make the roster.
Having the management on the group is essential, however normal supervisor Steve Staios was busy including that all through the offseason. In his prime NHL days, Kulemin was an excellent defensive bottom-six winger, however once more, at 38 years outdated, the expectations weren’t excessive for him within the preseason.
The Remaining Gamers Depth Chart
The remaining gamers within the depth chart battling for a spot are as follows:
LW | C | RW |
Brady Tkachuk | Tim Stutzle | Claude Giroux |
David Perron | Josh Norris | Drake Batherson |
Ridly Greig | Shane Pinto | Michael Amadio |
Nick Cousins | Jan Jenik | Zack MacEwen |
Noah Gregor | Zack Ostapchuk | Adam Gaudette |
LD | RD |
Jake Sanderson | Artem Zub |
Thomas Chabot | Nick Jensen |
Tyler Kleven | Jacob Bernard-Docker |
Travis Hamonic | |
Carter Yakemchuk |
The Senators are left with three gamers to chop. Two forwards and a defenseman is probably going how the Senators will transfer ahead with the group they’ve left.
Adam Gaudette is the most probably one left to be lower, and in the event that they go together with one other ahead, will probably be one in every of Zack Ostapchuk or Jan Jenik. Up to now within the preseason, Jenik has been a superb participant for the group, and whereas Ostapchuk has achieved an excellent job of doing what must be achieved, Jenik has the sting as of now.
On protection is the place issues get attention-grabbing. Sending Carter Yakemchuk to the Western Hockey League (WHL) makes essentially the most sense, however he has been spectacular. Travis Hamonic is a lock due to his no-move clause, to in the event that they decide to maintain Yakemchuk, even for his nine-game trial earlier than going to the WHL, they might want to waive Jacob Bernard-Docker.
Bernard-Docker cleared waivers final season, however after having his finest season within the NHL to date, it’s extra probably he will get claimed. That may imply that the Senators would wish to both maintain Hamonic or Yakemchuk within the lineup long-term, or cross their fingers and hope Bernard-Docker clears.
It’s most probably that Yakemchuk does go to the WHL, however it’s not possible to disclaim his play incomes him a spot to date.
Time will inform, however the preseason is on the point of shut, and there are not any straightforward choices left.