+34
The Vancouver Canucks have added to their goaltending depth less than a week before the NHL season begins.
have added to their goalie depth for the 2025-26 season, using their top spot in the NHL Waiver Priority to claim Leevi Meriläinen from the With the addition, the Canucks now have more depth behind the injury-ridden Thatcher Demko, who has missed the entire preseason, veteran Kevin Lankinen and Nikita Tolopilo.
At the same time, it could mark the end of a PTO for veteran backstop Chris Driedger, who played a period in Thursday’s 2–1 loss to an AHL-heavyMeriläinen hit the Senators’ waiver wire after playing 20 games in 2025-26, posting a 3.51 goals-against average and a .860 save percentage. He also saw 19 games with the AHL’s Belleville Senators, posting a 2.77 GAA and a .909 save percentage, including a pair of shutouts.
Initially selected 71st overall in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft after impressive seasons with the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs, Meriläinen struggled to claim the top role in Ottawa. This preseason, he found himself behind Linus Ullmark and Samuel Ersson.
Once touted as a potential stabling saviour for the long-term future of the Senators’ crease, the Finnish netminder ends his Ottawa tenure having appeared in just 34 NHL games, with a 3.00 GAA and .885 save percentage, never fully climbing from a successful 89-game spell in the AHL since making his professional debut in 2022-23 with a brief NHL spell. The native of Oulu, Finland, is set to earn $1.1 million in total salary this season, but serves as an upgrade to Tolopilo and fits within the Canucks’ rebuilding plans, given the team is not expected to trend near the salary cap at any point in the campaign.
With Demko still sidelined and Lankinen the presumed top choice to start the regular season, Meriläinen will contend with Tolopilo for the backup role, with one likely bound for the Abbotsford Canucks, though Tolopilo would need waivers to get there. , looking to avoid a fourth loss in as many exhibition games, before opening their NHL schedule on Sept. 29 against the Edmonton Oilers.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Canucks' Collapse and Fire Sale Leaves Canucks with League-Worst RecordThe Vancouver Canucks experienced a steep decline from a 50-win season to a league-worst record, driven by internal conflicts, injuries to key players like Elias Pettersson and Thatcher Demko, and poor coaching. After failing to retain captain Quinn Hughes long-term, management traded him, leading to further losses and a roster overhaul that saw players like Kiefer Sherwood and Conor Garland leave the team.
Read more »
Canucks’ Filip Chytil leaves preseason game after collision with refereeChytil appeared in just 12 games for Vancouver last season due to injuries.
Read more »
What Does A Successful Season Look Like For The Vancouver Canucks?Basically every pre-season prediction will have the Vancouver Canucks in 32nd place, so what would success actually look like in what feels like a lost season?
Read more »
Vancouver Canucks Claim Leevi Merilainen Off Waivers From Ottawa SenatorsThe Vancouver Canucks have acquired goaltender Leevi Merilainen from the Ottawa Senators via waivers as they address their starting goalie situation with Thatcher Demko sidelined.
Read more »