The Ottawa Senators need to find a safety net this summer. The backup plan that Steve Staios, the club's president of hockey operations and general manager, put in place last season did not work, and one of his priorities is to find someone who can be a reliable No. 2 behind Linus Ullmark in 2026-27.
Ullmark's Workload and Need for Support
The Senators' top goaltender, who is heading into the second year of a deal that will pay him $8.25 million US through the 2028-29 campaign, played a career-high 49 games this past season despite taking a 35-day break for mental health reasons. The National Hockey League will expand its schedule by two games to 84 next season, which means the team will need someone reliable behind Ullmark.
"You probably need someone who can play 30-to-35 games," said TSN analyst Jamie McLennan, a former NHL goalie who does colour commentary on the club's regional broadcasts. "It's more of a tandem situation."
Goalie Usage This Season
The Senators used five goaltenders this season, mostly because of Ullmark's leave of absence, but the position was not settled until veteran James Reimer arrived in mid-January as an unrestricted free agent. The club could bring back the 38-year-old Reimer, who did a solid job behind Ullmark, but he has to decide if he wants to continue his career. Reimer did not sound like he was convinced that would be the case while speaking to the media last month. He wanted to speak with his family, who remained in British Columbia when he joined the Senators, before making a decision.
Ullmark even thanked Reimer for his support at the end of the season, so that is why the possibility of a return cannot be ruled out. That would be the easiest solution because Reimer showed the hockey world that he can still play and compete. Plus, he would only require a one-year deal.
Internal Options
Though Leevi Merilainen remains an option after spending the second half of the season with the club's American Hockey League affiliate in Belleville, the Senators will scour the market for a reliable No. 2 that can play behind Ullmark.
Free Agent Target: Stuart Skinner
There has been a lot of debate on social media since the Ottawa Citizen reported on May 8 that the Senators will consider signing the 27-year-old Skinner. That is because Skinner struggled mightily to find consistency with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers last season. The expectation is he will not be back with the Penguins, and the belief is he will be among Ottawa's top targets in free agency. Skinner made $2.6 million last season, and the Senators could be a nice fit because he would have a chance to help them win without the pressure of being the No. 1 guy. By all accounts, Skinner is a quality individual who would fit in well here. He finished with a 12-9-5 record in the regular season with the Penguins with a 2.99 goals-against average and an .885 save percentage. His career numbers are solid with a 2.77 GAA, along with a 121-71-23 record and a .902 save percentage.
