Ottawa Senators star defenseman Jake Sanderson is walking back harsh criticisms directed at teammate Leevi Merilainen. Following a frustrating loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Sanderson expressed deep regret for publicly targeting the young goaltender, who has since been reassigned to the AHL.
A Lesson in Leadership and Emotions
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Sanderson didn’t hide his disappointment in his own conduct. After Saturday’s 6-5 defeat—a game in which Merilainen struggled—Sanderson had suggested that it was impossible to win when a goalie makes fewer than 10 saves.
Now, with Merilainen headed to the Belleville Senators, Sanderson is focused on making amends.
“First off, I’m pretty embarrassed,” Sanderson admitted. “I talked to Leevi after the game and apologized. I still feel really bad. That’s not what good teammates do. You build each other up, especially after a game like that.”
Travis Green Shields His Star Blueliner
Despite the controversy, Senators head coach Travis Green was quick to defend Sanderson’s character. Green labeled the 22-year-old as “one of the best teammates” in the NHL, attributing the outburst to the high-stakes, emotional nature of the sport.
Green acknowledged that while Merilainen certainly wanted a few of those goals back, the internal friction hasn’t fractured the locker room. “It was fairly obvious, and I think it was overblown,” Green noted.
By the Numbers: Ottawa’s Crease Crisis
The frustration in Ottawa stems from a season-long struggle to find stability in the net. With Linus Ullmark currently on a leave of absence, the Senators have leaned on inexperienced depth, leading to some of the worst defensive metrics in the league.
Leevi Merilainen’s Recent Performance: | Category | Stat | | :— | :— | | Saves (vs. Montreal) | 13 on 19 shots | | Save Percentage (Game) | .684 | | Season Save Percentage | .860 | | Goals Against Average | 3.51 |
Ottawa currently surrenders 3.40 goals per game, ranking them near the bottom of the league (4th worst) in scoring defense.
What’s Next for the Senators?
In a bid to stabilize the roster, the Senators have recalled Hunter Shepard to replace Merilainen and recently added veteran James Reimer.
The Senators (22-19-7) currently sit at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. They look to bounce back tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets, a crucial matchup between two teams desperate to climb out of the Eastern Conference basement.
