The Ottawa Senators are in freefall. What started as a season filled with promise has unraveled into something much harder to watch-and even harder to explain.
Sunday’s 7-1 drubbing at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights didn’t just sting, it felt like a moment of reckoning. The Senators are now seven points out of a playoff spot, and if the trend continues, they’ll be staring at another spring without postseason hockey.
This isn’t just a bad stretch or a string of tough breaks. The Senators look lost-flat-footed, fragile, and out of answers. And while there’s plenty of blame to go around, it’s impossible to ignore where the cracks are most visible: between the pipes.
Goaltending was supposed to be a strength. Linus Ullmark, brought in with a $33 million contract extension, was expected to bring stability, experience, and a calming presence in net.
Instead, the crease has become a carousel of inconsistency. Through 43 games, Ottawa’s team save percentage sits at .873-their lowest mark at this point in a season since 1993-94.
Ullmark himself ranks second-to-last in the NHL in goals saved above expected, a stat that measures how many goals a goalie prevents relative to the quality of shots faced. That’s not just underperforming-it’s actively hurting the team.
When Ullmark stepped away on personal leave to address mental health, the Senators turned to 21-year-old Leevi Merilainen. The hope was that the youngster could provide a spark.
Instead, the struggles continued. Merilainen ranks third-last in the league in that same goals saved above expected metric, and the frustration has started to boil over.
After a loss to the Canadiens, defenseman Jake Sanderson didn’t hold back. “I think, you know, Leevi made some good saves,” Sanderson said.
“But, you know, I think at the end of the day you’ve got to make more than 10 saves to win a game.” That kind of public call-out is rare-and telling.
This isn’t just a locker room looking for answers. It’s one that’s starting to fray at the edges.
Desperate for help, Ottawa brought in veteran James Reimer earlier this month. But so far, the veteran hasn’t been able to stop the bleeding.
In four starts, Reimer has gone 1-2-1 with a 3.32 goals-against average and an .871 save percentage. Those numbers aren’t moving the needle, and neither is Ottawa’s league-wide standing in net.
The Senators rank 25th in team save percentage and have allowed the fifth-most goals in the NHL this season.
If there’s a silver lining-or at least a glimmer of hope-it might come from outside the organization. One name that’s starting to gain traction in league circles is Jesper Wallstedt, the highly touted Swedish netminder currently with the Minnesota Wild. According to reports, the Wild are exploring options to add a top-six forward or center, and Wallstedt could be the piece they’re willing to move.
It’s a rare opportunity. Wallstedt is having a breakout season and is firmly in the Calder Trophy conversation.
He’s just 23 years old, signed to a manageable two-year, $4.4 million deal, and looks every bit like a future No. 1 goalie. For a team like Ottawa, stuck in neutral and desperate for a long-term solution in net, this is the kind of player you at least have to inquire about.
But here’s the catch: it won’t come cheap.
Minnesota is reportedly looking for a high-end forward, and Ottawa does have some pieces that could fit the bill. Tim Stützle, with 53 points in 52 games, is the most valuable chip the Senators have.
At 24, he’s entering his prime and fits exactly what the Wild are said to be looking for. Shane Pinto could also be part of a package, while Dylan Cozens is another name that’s been floated in trade discussions.
There’s also a more complicated possibility: a one-for-one goalie swap involving Ullmark and Wallstedt. But that scenario hinges on Ullmark waiving his no-trade clause, and there’s no indication that’s in the cards.
The bottom line? The Senators are at a crossroads.
Their season is slipping away, and goaltending is the anchor dragging them down. If they want to salvage what’s left of this year-and more importantly, stabilize the position for the future-they’ll need to make a move.
Wallstedt might not be a sure thing, but he’s the kind of bold swing that could change the course of a franchise.
Ottawa doesn’t have time for half-measures. If they believe in this core, if they believe in their window, then it’s time to act like it.