Leevi
Meriläinen
G · VAN · Very poor
- PAL
- 1
- WAR
- -3.4
- Value
- 0
- SV%
- .860
2025-26№ 96 / 98
Leevi Meriläinen (Vancouver Canucks) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Leevi Meriläinen
HEIGHT : 191 cm · WEIGHT : 84 kg · CATCHES : L
Born : August 12, 2002 · Oulu, Finland
Drafted : 2020 · OTT · round 3, pick #71
Contract : $1,100,000 · 2026-27 → 2026-27 · Standard Contract · RFA (Arb)
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | W | L | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Vancouver Canucks | 13 | 2 | 7 | 3.52 | .889 | 0 |
| 2025-26 | Ottawa Senators | 20 | 8 | 10 | 3.51 | .860 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | Ottawa Senators | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1.99 | .925 | 3 |
| 2022-23 | Ottawa Senators | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4.23 | .878 | 0 |
| NHL totals | 47 | 18 | 21 | 3.14 | .886 | 3 | |
Leevi Meriläinen: our analysis
2025-26 season: 20 GP, 8 W, 10 L, .860 SV%, 3.51 GAA, 0 SO. WAR -3.4 (96th of 98) · PAL 1, very poor.
In 2025-26, Leevi Meriläinen, 24, posts a PAL Rating of 1 out of 100 (very poor), and his WAR of -3.4 ranks 96th among 98 regulars, in the bottom quarter.
On the other hand, consistency (1, among the weakest in the league) and efficiency (1, among the weakest in the league) hold him back.
GSAx: -20.9 (goals saved above expected).
A marked decline: his PAL was 39 in 2024-25, against 1 now; his WAR went from 1.0 to -3.4.
Leevi Meriläinen's story
Raised through Oulun Kärpät's development system, Meriläinen made a name for himself with the club's under-20 side, posting a .934 save percentage across 22 games in 2020–21. That season helped him get selected 71st overall in the third round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators. Ottawa signed him to a three‑year entry-level contract on 14 June 2021, setting him on a path between Europe and North America.
The organization suggested a stint in the OHL, and he joined the Kingston Frontenacs — who had taken him in the CHL Import Draft — for 2021–22. The year produced mixed results: among the league leaders in wins and total saves, yet his save percentage remained under .900 and he finished with a 3.29 goals-against average. Returning to Finland for 2022–23, he earned the starting role with Kärpät and delivered a breakout campaign: a 2.02 GAA, .918 save percentage and a league rookie mark of eight shutouts, before an injury sidelined him for the playoffs.
After Kärpät's season ended he crossed back over to North America, joining the Belleville Senators in the AHL. He debuted on 2 April 2023 with a 41-save shutout versus the Toronto Marlies and was soon recalled to Ottawa; his first NHL appearance came on 4 April 2023, a 3–2 overtime loss in which he made 34 saves against the Carolina Hurricanes. Over the following seasons he split time between Ottawa's affiliates and the NHL, including assignments to the Allen Americans (ECHL) where he went 9–4–0 with a .926 save percentage and 2.97 GAA in 13 games, and 24 games in Belleville with a 10–9–1 record, .906 save percentage and 2.87 GAA.
He earned his first NHL win on 21 December 2024 and recorded his first NHL shutout on 11 January 2025 in a 5–0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. A goal he allowed shortly after made him the 179th unique goaltender scored upon by Alexander Ovechkin, setting a new NHL mark for unique goaltenders facing one player. Contracts and roster moves followed — including a one‑year extension on 1 July 2025 and another on 2 July 2026 — and on 25 September 2026 he was claimed off waivers by the Vancouver Canucks, making his Canucks debut on 1 October 2026 in relief, stopping 10 of 11 shots in a 9–7 loss.
Internationally, Meriläinen was Finland's starting netminder at the 2022 World Junior Championship before being replaced for the semifinal and final; Finland finished with the silver medal. His game is defined by seasons with high-volume workload and strong statistical stretches, and by an ability to move between starter and relief duties as team situations demand.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- Starts
- 11
- Shots against
- 370
- Saves
- 329
- %ARR / SV%
- 88.9 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
Trend
Trend
Slight decline
- PAL Rating: 39 → 1
Outlook, age included
→ StableAge 24: usually still improving
The trend is a hint, not a verdict. It reads recent seasons and PAL Rating (age only shapes the outlook); it knows nothing about future injuries, trades, or the defense in front of the goalie.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
-3.4
wins above replacement
96 of 98
PAL Rating
1/ 100
Performance · Very poor
74 of 74 at the position
Value Rating
0/ 100
Very poor return
1.05 M$ · expected PAL 47
See full detailsHide details
- Efficiency
- 1
- Impact
- 5
- High danger
- 24
- Consistency
- 1
- Workload
- 9
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | OTT | -3.4 | 1 | 0 | 1.05 M$ |
| 2024-25 | OTT | 1.0 | 39 | 48 | 0.82 M$ |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
-3.4
wins above replacement
-5.4 to -2.1 — 90% interval
96 of 98 goalies
-18.0 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- Goals saved above expected
- -20.9
- Average → replacement
- +2.9
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | OTT | 20 | -3.4 | -5.4 to -2.1 | 96/98 |
| 2024-25 | OTT | 12 | 1.0 | -0.6 to 2.5 | 35/99 |
| 2022-23 | OTT | 2 | -0.2 | -0.9 to 0.5 | 73/107 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →NHL EDGE tracks every shot with a chip in the puck: where it came from, how dangerous it was, and what the goalie did with it. The percentile places the goalie within the league.
- Save %
- .88955th percentileleague avg. .890
- High-danger save %
- .80757th percentileleague avg. .804
- Games above .900
- 36.4 %27th percentileleague avg. 45.8 %
See full detailsHide details
- Goal support per game
- 2.6625th percentileleague avg. 3.07
- Goal differential per 60
- -0.8620th percentileleague avg. 0.07
Save % by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
EDM
WPG
TOR
SJS
ANA
MIN
CAR
FLA
NYI
NJD
CGYLeevi Meriläinen: frequently asked questions
What is Leevi Meriläinen's record in 2026-27?
Leevi Meriläinen has 2 wins in 13 games in 2026-27, with a .889 save percentage and a 3.52 goals-against average.
How old is Leevi Meriläinen?
Leevi Meriläinen is 24 years old: he was born on August 13, 2002.
How tall is Leevi Meriläinen, and how much does he weigh?
Leevi Meriläinen is 6'3" (191 cm) and weighs 185 lb (84 kg).
Where is Leevi Meriläinen from?
Finland: Leevi Meriläinen was born in Oulu, Finland.
What team does Leevi Meriläinen play for?
Leevi Meriläinen plays for the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL, at G, wearing number 31.
Is Leevi Meriläinen injured?
No: Leevi Meriläinen is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Leevi Meriläinen?
Leevi Meriläinen produced -3.4 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 96th of 98 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 1 out of 100: very poor for his position.
How much does Leevi Meriläinen make?
Leevi Meriläinen earns $1.1M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 0 out of 100 (very poor return): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Leevi Meriläinen's contract end?
Leevi Meriläinen's contract runs through the 2026-27 season; he will then be a restricted free agent.
Is Leevi Meriläinen overpaid?
Yes, his output falls short of what his salary should buy. His Value rating is 0 out of 100 (very poor return), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Leevi Meriläinen a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 96th of 98 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Leevi Meriläinen getting better?
No, he is slipping: his PAL rating went from 39 in 2024-25 to 1 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
What are Leevi Meriläinen's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Leevi Meriläinen has 47 games, 18 wins and 3 shutouts. His best season: 2025-26, with 8 wins.
Where was Leevi Meriläinen drafted?
Leevi Meriläinen was drafted 71st overall (round 3) by Ottawa Senators in 2020.
How does Leevi Meriläinen perform in the playoffs?
Leevi Meriläinen has not played in the NHL playoffs yet.
Which player is most similar to Leevi Meriläinen?
Adin Hill: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Adin Hill's page →What is Leevi Meriläinen's nationality?
Leevi Meriläinen is Finnish. Internationally: Finland — silver medal at the 2022 World Junior Championship (lost the final to Canada).
What awards has Leevi Meriläinen won?
Named to the second all-star team of his junior league ; Liiga record for most shutouts by a rookie (8) — 2022–23 season.
Where did Leevi Meriläinen play before turning pro?
Oulun Kärpät (junior/U20, 2020–21); Kingston Frontenacs (OHL, 2021–22); Oulun Kärpät (Liiga, 2022–23).
See also: his Vancouver Canucks teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)