The Ottawa Senators are reportedly circling Buffalo Sabres prospect Devon Levi as a potential backup option behind Linus Ullmark.
A Leevi Merilainen for Devon Levi swap is the framework being floated. Two 23 and 24-year-old goalies trading addresses, with both organizations getting a different problem solved.
The rumor surfaced Saturday on X. And it actually makes more sense than most trade gossip floating through late May.
Ullmark hasn't been the answer in Ottawa. His season ended with a 0.890 save percentage across 49 starts, with 23 wins. Steve Staios needs better support behind him.
Merilainen has been steady but unspectacular for the Senators. The 23-year-old finished with a 0.859 save percentage across 20 games. Not the long-term answer Ottawa wanted to see emerge.
Buffalo's NHL crease is crowded. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen handled the bulk at 0.908, and Alex Lyon backed him up with a 0.906 over 36 starts.
Why this fits both rebuild timelines in different ways
The Sabres finished 50-23-9 with 109 points, 4th overall, 1st in their division. Strong year. Crowded depth chart at the NHL level for goaltenders.
Ottawa landed at 44-27-11 with 99 points under Travis Green, 9th overall. They're knocking, not arriving.
Levi gives Ottawa a 24-year-old former first-round-talent profile with NHL experience to compete for the No.2 job. Merilainen gives Buffalo a different kind of project to develop in their system.
Is this the kind of swap that actually moves a needle in October? Maybe not on its own. But it tells you what both front offices are thinking.
GM Jarmo Kekalainen has been clear all spring about valuing volume and depth. Staios has been clear about wanting more from the position behind Ullmark.
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A backup goaltender rarely steals a headline in May. This one might, mostly because both organizations have a real reason to do it.
If the deal lands, Ottawa enters next October with a fresher tandem in net. If it dies on the table, the rumor still tells you exactly where both teams plan to shop this summer.
Should the Senators pull the trigger on a Merilainen for Levi swap?
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