Ottawa – Traditionally, the Ottawa Senators haven`t been strongly associated with top-tier goaltending.
However, Linus Ullmark is poised to potentially change this perception.
It`s unusual for a team to acquire a recent Vezina Trophy recipient at the peak of their career and then quickly secure them with a contract extension. Yet, this is precisely how the Ottawa Senators have found what they hope will be their long-term solution in net.
Just prior to Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, the Senators made a significant move, acquiring Ullmark from the Boston Bruins in exchange for Joonas Korpisalo, Mark Kastelic, and a first-round draft pick.
“To be completely honest,” Ullmark admitted, “Whenever you’re traded, a wave of disappointment washes over you. There’s a feeling that you weren’t quite up to par, leading the team to seek a better alternative or believing they’ve found a superior option.”
Despite the initial disappointment, Ullmark`s outlook soon shifted towards optimism.
“Initially, trade news makes you ponder your former team’s evaluation of you, overshadowing the fact that another team actively pursued you,” he mentioned.
“There are always two perspectives. You begin to realize, ‘Maybe this isn`t as negative as it first seemed.’ Then, after a couple of days, excitement starts to build, ‘This could actually be really thrilling.’ And eventually, that evolves into, ‘This is fantastic.’”
Nevertheless, a significant question lingered in the Swedish goalie’s mind: Could Ottawa become a lasting home for him? At 31, with only a year remaining on his contract, Ullmark was uncertain about venturing into the Canadian hockey market and how his wife, Moa, along with their children, Harry and Lily, would adapt to their new environment.
“I didn’t want to just agree to a trade and sign a contract without fully understanding what I was committing to,” Ullmark explained.
“You never truly know if transitioning to a new team will be an improvement or a setback, whether it will be beneficial or detrimental. Am I making a sound decision? We were cautious and didn’t want to rush into anything.”
