Vancouver Canucks acquire 6-foot-3 Finnish goalie from Ottawa Senators
The Vancouver Canucks were expected to be busy on the waiver wire, and on Friday they pulled the trigger.
Leevi Meriläinen is on his way to the West Coast after the Canucks claimed the 24-year-old goaltender off waivers from the Ottawa Senators. The 6-foot-3 Finnish netminder has 34 games of NHL experience, including 20 last season for the Sens.
A third-round pick by Ottawa in the 2020 NHL Draft, Meriläinen has split time between the NHL and AHL since coming over to North America in 2023. In 84 career AHL games, Meriläinen has a 39-29-10 record, with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage.
He has a 16-14-3 record at the NHL level, with a 3.00 goals-against average and an .885 save percentage.
This move should solidify Vancouver’s goaltending situation while Thatcher Demko continues to rehab after double hip surgery. If the Canucks elect to keep just two goaltenders in Vancouver, expect the Finnish duo of Kevin Lankinen and Meriläinen to start the season at the NHL level.
Where does this leave Nikita Tolopilo? (Bob Frid/Imagn Images)
That would mean exposing Nikita Tolopilo to waivers if they want to send him to Abbotsford. Tolopilo appeared in 21 games last season, posting an .881 save percentage.
Also in the mix is Chris Driedger, who played the third period of Thursday night’s game. The 32-year-old veteran is on a pro-tryout contract.
Thanks to finishing dead last in the NHL standings in 2025-26, the Canucks have the advantage of top waiver priority to start this season.
And they may not be done yet.
“It’s a great opportunity,” general manager Ryan Johnson admitted in an interview with The Athletic’s Thomas Drance during the offseason. “If we’re able to add something in any position that we see fits with the vision and may bring us value on this journey that we’re going on, yeah, we’re going to be ready.”
The Canucks could use another depth defenceman, and perhaps even another centre, depending on the severity of Filip Chytil’s latest injury.