Ottawa Senators Acquire Linus Ullmark in Bid to Strengthen Goaltending

The Ottawa Senators have made a significant move to address their goaltending concerns by acquiring Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins. Ullmark, the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner, has joined the Senators following a trade that sent Joonas Korpisalo to the Bruins. This trade was accompanied by forward and a 2024 first-round pick.

The Senators’ need for a reliable goaltender became evident after another unsuccessful bid for the playoffs last season, marking the seventh consecutive year without a playoff appearance. Joonas Korpisalo, who was signed before the 2023-24 season, delivered disappointing performances with a 21-26-4 record, a 3.27 goals-against average, and an .890 save percentage.

In an interview with TSN Radio 1200, Senators General Manager Steve Staios expressed optimism about Ullmark’s potential impact on the team. “It’s the one position I think that you can look at with the group that can really build confidence,” Staios stated. He emphasized Ullmark’s leadership qualities and experience with a successful organization like the Bruins, highlighting his rapport with leaders such as Patrice Bergeron.

Ullmark’s transfer to Ottawa comes with high expectations following his exceptional performance in Boston last season, where he boasted a 22-10-8 record, a .915 save percentage, and a 2.55 goals-against average. His career-best 2022-23 season saw him attain a .938 save percentage and a 1.89 goals-against average, along with several accolades, including the Vezina Trophy and the William M. Jennings Trophy.

The trade gives Ullmark an opportunity to continue his impressive form and contribute to the Senators’ ambition of breaking their playoff drought. He is expected to make his debut with the team in Ottawa’s opening game against the Florida Panthers.

As the Senators face the Panthers, fans at the Canadian Tire Centre will be eager to see if Ullmark can provide the stability in goal that the team has been seeking for years. The four-year, $33 million contract extension penned by Ullmark underscores Ottawa’s commitment to reinforcing their goaltending position. It matches the average annual pay of his former teammate Jeremy Swayman‘s contract with the Bruins.