Senators acquire Jonas Johansson to bolster goaltending depth
The Senators bolster goaltending by trading for Jonas Johansson from the Lightning.
Quick answers
Why did the Senators acquire Jonas Johansson?
The Senators acquired Jonas Johansson to address their depth issues at goaltending after placing Leevi Merilainen on waivers. Johansson joins Linus Ullmark and Samuel Ersson as options behind the net, aiming to improve the team's overall goaltending performance for the upcoming season.
What was Jonas Johansson's performance with the Lightning?
Jonas Johansson served primarily as Andrei Vasilevskiy's backup with the Lightning, struggling with a save percentage of .884 last season. Over 25 appearances, he recorded a 3.29 goals-against average. This acquisition gives Ottawa another experienced option amid their goaltending challenges.
Senators make strategic trade for Johansson
The Ottawa Senators acquired goalie Jonas Johansson from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday night. The trade occurred in response to the Senators’ goaltending depth concerns after they placed Leevi Merilainen on waivers.
Johansson, 31, adds experience to the Senators’ net. He has been with the Lightning for the past three seasons, primarily backing up star goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy. This move signals a push to solidify their goaltending after last year’s challenges.
Johansson’s recent performance
Last season, Johansson appeared in 25 games, recording an 11-10-2 record with a 3.29 goals-against average and an .884 save percentage. His numbers reflect a season marked by limited success, especially compared to league averages.
Johansson’s struggles were evident as he primarily played only during Vasilevskiy’s injury absence. His past three years show a slight decline, with save percentages of .890, .895, and .884 respectively, indicating a need for improvement.
Senators address goaltending issues
The Senators’ goaltending faced scrutiny last season. Linus Ullmark, acquired as a veteran presence, had a save percentage of .891, underperforming relative to his typical standards. Meanwhile, the young Merilainen struggled significantly before being claimed by the Vancouver Canucks.
General manager Steve Staios identified goaltending as a priority. The addition of Johansson complements Ullmark and Samuel Ersson, who previously joined from the Philadelphia Flyers. The Senators now have depth they hope will lead to more consistent play.
Trade implications for both teams
Tampa Bay’s decision to trade Johansson clears a contract spot ahead of the NHL season. This trade fulfills a long-standing objective for Bolts General Manager Julien BriseBois, who aimed to find Johansson a new home.
Johansson is in the final year of his contract with a cap hit of $1.25 million. He will become an unrestricted free agent next summer, allowing the Senators flexibility moving forward.
As the NHL season approaches, the Senators prepare for their opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 3. They will look to integrate Johansson quickly into their system and bolster their goaltending unit.
For related context, see latest NHL injury updates and NHL starting-goalie status.
Reporting for this story draws on Daily Faceoff, Pro Hockey Rumors, Sportsnet.
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