The Senators acted swiftly to bolster their goaltending roster on Friday by acquiring Jonas Johansson from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for future considerations. This move followed the Vancouver Canucks claiming Leevi Meriläinen off waivers earlier that day.
Johansson has appeared in 105 NHL games, having debuted with Buffalo during the 2019–20 season and also played for Colorado, Florida, and Tampa Bay. Last season, he served as Tampa’s backup, posting an 11-10-2 record over 25 games, with a goals-against average of 3.29 and a save percentage of .884. Drafted in the third round of the 2014 NHL Draft by Buffalo, Johansson’s most recent game was in April against the Senators, where he allowed five goals on 31 shots in a 6-2 defeat.
If Johansson replaces Meriläinen on Ottawa’s depth chart, the top three Senators goalies would all be Swedish—Linus Ullmark, Samuel Ersson, and Johansson. The team continues to develop talent in camp, with Vadim Zherenko on a professional tryout and prospects Jackson Parsons and Kevin Reidler vying for a spot. Reidler adds yet another Swedish option to the mix.
Johansson appears to be positioned as the third-string goalie due to his NHL experience. Since the Senators lost Meriläinen and allowed Mads Sogaard to become a free agent, they preferred a veteran presence that wouldn’t leave them vulnerable to injury, especially one with NHL experience.
Currently on an NHL contract with a cap hit of $1.25 million, Johansson was among ten Tampa players assigned to the AHL on Friday afternoon, meaning waivers were not an issue.
By Steve Warne, The Hockey News
Fan Take: This move underscores Ottawa’s focus on stability and experience in goal, which could prove crucial during the grueling NHL season. For hockey fans, it’s a reminder of how team management constantly seeks to balance youth development with reliable depth, keeping the sport competitive and exciting.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
