I’LL BE BACK-UP: The Search for Ottawa’s Second String Goalie

Shut up, everyone... Let’s assume for a moment - I said shut up. Let’s assume for a moment that Matt Murray has the number one goaltender job for the Ottawa Senators through the next two seasons. Okay? Can we do that? Can you handle the hypothetical? For 3-4 minutes? Okay good. Great, even.

That would then beg the question. Who will be Ottawa’s number two between the pipes through the next two seasons? Let’s look at our eligible bachelors:

THE PREDICTABLE

Mr. Marcus Hogberg has been the Sens ol’ reliable second string so far in 2021, and played 24 games last year too. He has faced some criticism for “doing his own thing”, “following his arrow”, and perhaps “riding the wave” rather than saving pucks in what is considered to be a predictable or consistent way. His 2021 season hasn’t been off to a particularly “Go Sens Go” start. That’s why there may be some merit in maybe seeing other people.

THE GOLDEN BOY

Joey Daccord has drawn the admiration of Sens fans worldwide for stopping way more pucks than he’s getting paid to stop. With a fully sikk 2.61 GAA and .915 SV% last season behind the Belleville Senators (yes, THOSE Belleville Senators), and the fact that I read on Twitter from somebody at some point that goalies generally see stat improvements at the NHL level, seems like he’s worth a look. Give the boy some games. Not to mention, he is a Boston native like Colin White, so the two of them could probably bond over their shared feelings that [REDACTED].

THE GHOST

Filip Gustavsson was once considered part of a robbery trade when we acquired him and a third rounder for Derrick Brassard in a trade with the Penguins. Despite the high draft pedigree, he’s definitely lurked in the catacombs of the Sens prospect system. After a couple rocky stints in the AHL, the 22-year-old played some COVID-era hockey for Sodertalje SK and posted 2.30 GAA and a 0.919 SV% through 19 games. Fairly intriguing. The lad is young, and perhaps the glow-up is coming. Maybe the Gustavsson Renaissance is afoot any day now.

FRIEND OF THE SHOW

Kevin Mandolese has the clout of playing alongside noted Senators prospect darlings Drake Batherson and Egor Sokolov during their time with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. Our guy Kev improved every season and closed out his last season with the Eagles touting a 2.33 GAA and .925 SV%. NOT TOO BAD FOR A 20 YEAR OLD YOU HAVEN’T HEARD OF. It’s easy to have a soft spot for the idea of a Screaming Eagles reunion on the big ice in Ottawa and why not? Why wouldn’t you want your heart to grow two sizes? Are you some kind of asshole?

THE DANISH DARLING

Mads Søgaard has that cool letter in his name where it’s an “o” with a strike through it. So badass. I would love to see the cowards at the NHL put that on a jersey. I’ll take a baker’s dozen. Mads hasn’t had his statement season in the minors yet but if you just cool your jets and leave him alone, I’m sure he will. He’s 20 and I’m pretty sure goalies aren’t good until their 30s or something. Give him a break, I’m begging you. Come on man chill out.

NEW FINN ON THE BLOCK

Selected in the third round last year, nobody was too sure what to make of Finnish draft pick Leevi Meriläinen. He quickly pulled the voicebox out of the haters Mortal Kombat-style. Leevi kicked off 2021 with three straight shutouts in the U20 SM-sarja and is staying cozy with a .926 SV%. Too early to think he truly challenges for an NHL roster spot, but if you truly believe, you are truly rewarded.

CONCLUSION

Given the analysis, only one true option presents itself: The Sens re-acquire Craig Anderson and let him retire as an Ottawa Senator. We’ll throw him some starts. We’ll let the goalie babies fight for our attention in various development leagues, and we’ll elect a new secondary goaltender at the start of next season. Only two logical outcomes arise from this approach:

1. Craig goes BeastMode and the Sens have a great, memorable last season with him; or

2. Craig doesn’t make it click and we continue our regularly scheduled tank, but the goalie prospects add another year to the development of their skills.

Is that not good enough for you? Are you better than this? Show me your article then. I’ll wait.

Where’s the article? Oh, there isn’t one? That’s too bad.