Linus Ullmark can't wait to prove Bruins wrong

The Ottawa Senators have themselves a new starting goaltender, having acquiring Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins and sending Joonas Korpisalo the other direction; he had just completed the first of a five year contract, but badly underperformed in 2023-24. 

Meanwhile, Ullmark is now the main figure between the pipes after having split time with Jeremy Swayman in Boston for the last three seasons. Right now, Ullmark appears ready to enter the upcoming season playing out the final year of his current contract without an extension in place and let the cards fall where they may.

How does Ullmark feel about the trade? In his own words, it's just part of the profession. 

“I mean, it’s part of the job,” he said. “There’s always a time in your life or in your career when you’re on the trade market. And this is just purely business. Once you start something (e.g. his run with the Bruins), you always want to finish it. 

“But at the same time, new opportunities present themselves. So, I would have liked to have won in Boston, but at the same time now I’m looking forward to having the same opportunity — but in Ottawa and with the fellas here.”

His previous career-high mark of 49 games played now has a very realistic chance of being surpassed this season, something that he's always hoped to achieve as a clear-cut starter.

“For me, it’s something I’ve dreamt about, being a clear No. 1 and playing a lot of games.”

However, don't expect to see a version of his iconic goalie hug to come with him to Ottawa, since that was a special celebration that was only to be seen between him and his now-former Bruins teammate.

“I haven’t thought about it, but I’m not going to bring it to Ottawa,” Ullmark said. “That patented goalie hug we had in Boston, that’s for me and Sway only and that’s out of respect for what we had and built through our years together, and the respect, love and admiration that I have for him. 

“There’s always celebrations after winning games, so we’ll see what happens. Maybe there will be a dab or something. But I’m not going to try too hard to come up with a theme or something like that. I’m just going to let it play out naturally.”

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