Will the Ottawa Senators Pursue Linus Ullmark?
Trade rumors hovered over Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark since the days leading up to the March trade deadline. The 30-year-old Vezina Trophy winner has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $5 million, sparking speculation about his future in Boston. The Hockey News’ Michael DeRosa cited reports claiming Ullmark was nearly moved by the deadline. However, the Bruins netminder nixed
the deal because the rumored team was on his 16-team no-trade list. Ullmark remains a hot topic in the rumor mill. DeRosa cited The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta speculating the Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, Edmonton Oilers, Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators could pursue the Bruins goalie this summer. Ottawa could use an upgrade between the pipes. The Senators tandem of Joonas Korpisalo and Anton Forsberg combined for the league’s fifth-worst goals-against per game this season, at 3.43. A Postmedia report last week claimed Senators GM Steve Staios attempted to
acquire Ullmark before the trade deadline, offering up Korpisalo in return, which the Bruins declined. The report suggested Staios could revisit his interest in the Bruins netminder, citing a league executive proposing a package offer with Jakob Chychrun as the centerpiece. Like Ullmark, Chychrun has a year left on his contract and faces an uncertain future with his current club. His $4.6-million cap hit would make it a dollar-for-dollar swap, addressing the Bruins’ need for a top-four, left-side defenseman. The executive believed Staios must include a first-round pick and another selection in that package to
acquire Ullmark, provided he accepts a trade to Ottawa. Bruins GM Don Sweeney could leap at that offer for Ullmark, but Staios won’t make that pitch. Goaltenders, even former Vezina Trophy winners, rarely fetch that type of return nowadays. Staios would also want assurances that Ullmark would sign a contract extension before agreeing to the deal. Acquiring Ullmark would also leave the Senators trying to move Korpisalo. He’s got four years left on his contract, with an average annual value of $5 million and a
10-team no-trade clause. Because of his poor performance last season, he’ll be difficult to move unless the Senators retain half his salary and toss a couple of sweeteners into the deal. Staios could stick with Korpisalo and Forsberg and hope their off-season training improves their performances next season. He might consider moving Forsberg and his $2.75 million cap hit for next season, making room for a more reliable and affordable backup for Korpisalo.
