Merilainen is dealing with a groin injury that isn't expected to be serious, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's unclear when Merilainen suffered the injury, but it doesn't look to be a long-term concern. The 22-year-old goalie is likely to spend much of this season at AHL Belleville as a No. 3 option in goal for the Senators' organization. Linus Ullmark and Anton Forsberg are likely to get the bulk of the NHL starts.