Senators loan top goaltending prospect to Sweden

Today, the Ottawa Senators loaned their top goaltending prospect, Filip Gustavsson, to Sodertalje SK in the Allsvenskan, Sweden's second highest professional hockey league. Gustavsson will return to the Senators for the start of 2020-21 NHL training camps.

The #Sens have loaned goaltender Filip Gustavsson to @SodertaljeSK of @AllsvenskanSE. Per the agreement, Gustavsson will be returned to the #Sens ahead of Ottawa's 2020-21 NHL training camp.— Sens Communications (@Media_Sens) September 26, 2020

Gustavsson, 22, was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins 55th overall in the second round of the 2016 NHL entry draft. He was traded from Pittsburgh to Ottawa on February 23rd 2018 along with Ian Cole and a 2018 first round pick, for Vincent Dunn and a 2018 third round pick.

He spent the 2019-20 season with Ottawa's AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators. He put up a record of 15 wins, 6 losses, 3 overtime/shootout losses, a 3.23 GAA, a .889 save percentage, and 1 shutout.

Internationally, Gustavsson has represented Sweden on multiple occasions, most recently at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships. He was named goaltender of the tournament as Sweden won the silver medal after they lost to Canada in the gold medal game. In 6 games played, Gustavsson had a record of 4 wins, 1 loss, a 1.81 GAA, and a .924 save percentage. Four months after the conclusion of the World Juniors, Gustavsson was named to Sweden's national team for the IIHF Men's World Hockey Championships. He served as the third goalie, not getting into any games during the tournament, but claimed a gold medal as Sweden defeated Switzerland in a shootout to capture their 11th World Championship title.

Gustavsson should have no problem making the Senators roster next season. With the departure of long time netminder Craig Anderson, Gustavsson could find himself in a situation where he could stake his claim as Ottawa's number one goaltender. Being loaned to Sodertalje SK will help him quite a lot, and should make him ready to take on the responsibility of being the starter in Ottawa.

Source: Ottawa Senators

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