The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded goaltender Samuel Ersson to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, just ten days after acquiring him from the Philadelphia Flyers.
Quick Turnaround for Ersson
Ersson, 25, was part of a blockbuster deal on June 16 that sent goaltender Joseph Woll, defenceman Simon Benoit, and a third-round pick to Philadelphia in exchange for Ersson and defenceman Emil Andrae. The Leafs promptly flipped Ersson to their Atlantic Division rivals on June 26.
According to Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun, the Leafs valued Andrae's puck-moving abilities more than adding another goaltender to an already crowded crease. Ersson and Andrae are both restricted free agents.
Leafs' Goaltending Plan
The Woll trade set up Toronto to enter the season with Anthony Stolarz and Marlies graduate Dennis Hildeby as their tandem. Artur Akhtyamov remains available to shuttle between the AHL and NHL without waivers if he continues his development.
Ersson was a two-time 20-game winner for the Flyers but struggled with inconsistency as Philadelphia turned to Dan Vladar, who posted 29 victories and a .922 save percentage in two playoff rounds last season. Ottawa, meanwhile, was seeking a younger backup to complement Linus Ullmark.
Senators Add Depth
The Senators, who already have Ullmark as their starter, view Ersson as a potential long-term backup option. The Swedish netminder brings NHL experience and could push for playing time in Ottawa's crease.
"Ottawa was looking for a younger backup to another Scandinavian, Linus Ullmark," Hornby reported. The trade gives the Senators additional depth in goal without sacrificing a high draft pick.
