In a thrilling update from the Ottawa Senators training camp, goaltender Linus Ullmark declared on Wednesday that he is “100 per cent” and eagerly looking forward to potentially suiting up in Thursday’s preseason showdown against his former team, the Buffalo Sabres.
However, the mood was a bit more somber when it came to defenseman Artem Zub, as head coach Travis Green revealed that the 28-year-old blueliner is currently grappling with a lower-body injury. Zub, who put up five goals and 25 points in 69 games last season, has yet to hit the ice during the preseason.
Ullmark shed some light on his recent absence, admitting that he had experienced a minor tweak last week which necessitated a few days away from practice. Fortunately, the Swedish netminder was back on the ice on Wednesday, eager to prove his readiness for the upcoming season.
Acquired in a trade with the Boston Bruins in June, Ullmark is poised to embark on his maiden campaign with the Senators, though he has yet to make his preseason debut. The 31-year-old goaltender is entering the final year of a lucrative four-year, $30 million contract he inked with the Bruins in July of 2021.
Nevertheless, contract negotiations seem to be on the back burner for now, as TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston revealed, “His situation is unique, of course, because he has ended up at the Ottawa Senators via trade from Boston back in June. And even though he is entering that last year and the Senators obviously gave up assets to acquire him, they have not yet started talking substantively any extension talks with Ullmark.”
Johnston continued, “Now, that’s not because they don’t intend to do so. Obviously, Ottawa thinks highly of the player. They would love to keep him, but I think the strategy right now is maybe to let this breathe a little bit, give him time to get comfortable in the city and with his new team, and then broach those contract discussions at somewhere weeks or months down the road.”
Looking back on his stellar past performances, Ullmark’s impressive resume speaks for itself. In the previous season, he boasted a 22-10-7 record with a .915 save percentage and 2.57 goals-against average. Though his playoff stint with the Bruins was limited to just two games, Ullmark showcased his talents with a .886 save percentage and 3.90 GAA.
Ullmark’s crowning achievement came in the 2022-23 season when he was awarded the prestigious Vezina Trophy for his impeccable goaltending skills, solidifying his status as one of the league’s elite netminders. Drafted by the Sabres in 2012, Ullmark holds a remarkable career record of 138-73-23 with a .919 save percentage and 2.51 GAA split between Buffalo and Boston.
As the Senators gear up for an exciting season ahead, all eyes will be on Ullmark as he aims to continue his stellar play between the pipes and help lead his team to success on the ice.
