At the 2020 NHL Draft, not many people would've expected Leevi Merilainen to be a hot name among young goaltenders by 2025. However, Merilainen's name is rising as the former 71st overall pick from the 2020 draft.
In the 2024-25 season in both the NHL and AHL, Merilainen was solid in between the pipes. Had Merilainen not have his 12-game surge during the Winter, it realistically could've been unsure if the Ottawa Senators would've made the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Now as the 2025-26 season is months away from starting, Merilainen's expectations are higher than last season.