NHL Rumours Ottawa Senators Edition on their Goaltending Situation

Today’s NHL rumours regarding the Ottawa Senators goaltending situation comes from TSN’s own Bruce Garrioch. The Sens reporter is saying that their backup goalie, Anton Forsberg, 2025-26 status with the Sens is currently an unknown. Let’s dive in, and try to figure out just where that leaves us.

Bruce Garrioch didn’t really say anything too surprising, but the update was appreciated. Anton Forsberg and Steve Staios are willing to workout a deal for next year it seems, but with the caveat of it being at a reduced cost. So, it ends up falling in Forsberg’s court and his willingness to take less money which currently he earns $2.75M per season. As of now, it is still very early in 2024-25. If Forsberg can play 25 games or so, posting solid numbers, there’s no reason why he can’t improve his value. Ultimately, that might shift the balance of power into the hands of management in whether or not they are willing to offer him more money. The Ottawa Senators organization just wants to win, and if Forsberg proves his value into 2025-26, it will make sense to bring him back, whatever the final number might be.

Thus far into the 2024-25, it has already been a bit of an adventurous start for Forsberg. In his first game, on Monday, with his team down 3-1, he had to leave the game with an injury. In the end, it was more of a precautionary decision, as he was ready for action last night. Then, from last night’s game itself, the result was somewhat expected.

When the New Jersey Devils post up their star starting goalie, Jacob Markstrom, against the Sens backup, more often than not the result will be something similar to what it ended up being (3-1). The game was fairly tight but along with the two goals, the Devils did control the second period somewhat. It might be difficult to pin the loss on Forsberg specifically. For example, the first goal took a couple of deflections. The final deflectionwas from Jacob Bernard-Docker and into Forsberg’s five-hole. Needless to say, Forsberg hasn’t been doing much to boost his stock. However, he hasn’t done anything specifically to hurt it and it is still so early.

Another part of the moving wheel, is in the AHL. Mads Sogaard does have a one-way, NHL contract for 2025-26. Conversely, it isn’t a lot of money tied up in having a third-stringer at $775K. Even if people point to poor play in brief NHL experience, it isn’t a significant sample size. Despite having a disappointing save percentage of .881, he does carry a respectable 11-10-3 record. Also, the team in front of him, over the past couple of seasons, has had its well-documented struggles defensively. In contrast, in 97 games at the AHL, it does appear he has mastered that level with a .909 SV%.

Therefore, whether Forsberg comes back to Ottawa next year, and what his contract is, depends on his play in 2025-26. Besides the numbers specifically, it is influenced by the chemistry between him and their high-paid starter, Linus Ullmark. As for the backup in 2025-26, there are options including Sogaard. Furthermore, Leevi Merilainen, currently with the Belleville Senators, is still a highly-regarded goaltending prospect. It seems that management, in the form of Steve Staios, will have a decision to make before next October. However, that is a long way away, and part of being accountability, is making decisions in a timely-manner. Giving the goaltenders the season to see how it plays out, and who emerges as the best option, seems to be the best option. Sometimes patience is the best virtue.

Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers – USA TODAY Sports