The Ottawa Senators have secured their young goalie Leevi Merilainen with a one-year, $1.05 million contract extension. The 22-year-old, drafted in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft, showcased impressive stats last season, achieving an 8-3-1 record, a 1.99 goals-against average, and a .925 save percentage across 12 regular-season games. His performance included three shutouts.

Having primarily played with the AHL's Belleville Senators, where Merilainen recorded an 18-12-4 record and a .913 save percentage, the extension signals his anticipated role as the primary backup to Linus Ullmark, especially as Anton Forsberg is set to become a free agent. The Senators also extended qualifying offers to several other players, securing their future roster.

Jan Jeník has proven to be a pivotal player for the Belleville Senators, earning the title of Howies Hockey Tape/AHL Player of the Week after an impressive performance where he accumulated eight points and a plus-6 rating over two games. His standout moment came during a franchise-record matching five-assist game in a 6-1 victory against Bridgeport, followed by scoring the game-winner and adding two more assists in another 6-1 win. This remarkable run has helped the Senators solidify their playoff aspirations, now boasting an 8-0-1-0 record at home.

In his fifth professional season, Jeník has amassed 23 points in 38 games with Belleville and has also made appearances with the Ottawa Senators. As a third-round pick by Arizona in the 2018 NHL Draft, his career in the AHL has been notable, with 143 points in 203 games. His recent form suggests that he could be an essential component for the Senators as they gear up for the Calder Cup Playoffs.