Strategic Goaltending Depth
The Vancouver Canucks made a significant move to address their goaltending depth on Friday, September 25, 2026, by claiming 24-year-old goaltender Leevi Meriläinen off waivers from the Ottawa Senators. The announcement, confirmed by Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson, marks the club’s first waiver claim of the 2026-27 season.
Meriläinen, a third-round selection by Ottawa in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, brings a mix of NHL experience and developmental potential to Vancouver. Standing 6’3″, the Finnish native has appeared in NHL games in three of the last four seasons. The Canucks, who finished 32nd in the league during the 2025-26 campaign, held the top priority in the waiver order, allowing them to secure the goaltender without competition.
Context of the Departure
The claim follows a difficult transition for Meriläinen in Ottawa. After a standout 2024-25 season where he posted an 8-3-1 record with a 1.99 goals-against average and three shutouts—playing a pivotal role in the Senators’ playoff run—Meriläinen struggled to maintain that form. During the 2025-26 season, he recorded an 8-10-1 record with a 3.51 goals-against average and an .860 save percentage.
According to The Hockey News, the Senators attempted to clear Meriläinen through waivers to assign him to their AHL affiliate in Belleville. Ottawa had signed the netminder to a one-year, one-way contract worth $1.1 million this summer, but his lack of waiver exemption ultimately forced the move. The Senators’ recent preseason performance, including a 6-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, highlighted the team’s ongoing adjustments to their goaltending pipeline behind Linus Ullmark and Samuel Ersson.
Outlook in Vancouver
For Vancouver, the acquisition is viewed as a low-risk, high-reward project. With Thatcher Demko continuing his recovery from hip surgery, the organization is managing a goaltending rotation that includes Kevin Lankinen and Nikita Tolopilo. As reported by CanucksArmy, the team is likely looking to provide Meriläinen with a fresh environment to regain his previous form. Because he was claimed via waivers, the Canucks are prohibited from sending him to the AHL without first placing him back on waivers, suggesting he will remain part of the NHL roster or taxi squad discussion as the season begins.