Linus Ullmark had his first media availability today after being acquired from the Bruins by the Senators on Monday, clearing up some pre-trade rumors that had been floating around in the process. While some believed Ullmark had waived his modified no-trade clause to green-light the deal to Ottawa, he told reporters today that the Senators were never on his no-trade list (via TSN’s Claire Hanna).
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet had relayed word on yesterday’s “32 Thoughts” podcast that Ullmark may have initially had the Sens on his no-trade list after signing his four-year, $20MM deal with Boston in 2021 but took them off after they signed Joonas Korpisalo last summer, believing they wouldn’t be interested in his services anyway. Evidently, that wasn’t the case.
Ullmark also confirmed that he won’t start any extension discussions with the Senators in the immediate future (via Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch). He said those will wait until after he and his family get acclimated to the city. He’s entering the final year of his contract and will be a UFA in 2025.
Other rumblings out of the Atlantic Division:
- The Red Wings are still trying to retain defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere before he becomes a UFA on Monday, Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic reported yesterday. Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman was aggressive in clearing cap space yesterday, acquiring a second-round pick as part of a prospect swap with the Predators that he immediately flipped to the Sharks along with defenseman Jake Walman, who was signed to a rather fair $3.4MM cap hit for the next two seasons. Gostisbehere was their top puck-moving and power-play option last year as Moritz Seider was given increased defensive responsibilities, recording 10 goals and 56 points in 81 games.
- After taking on the struggling Korpisalo from the Senators in this week’s Ullmark blockbuster, the Bruins intend to have him start next season as Jeremy Swayman’s backup, a team representative confirmed to The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa. Boston picked up Korpisalo at a $3MM cap hit through 2027-28, a 25% reduction on his initial $4MM price tag. Some wondered if a buyout may be coming for the netminder who had a .890 SV% and saved 20.8 goals below average in 55 games for the Sens this year, but that isn’t in the cards.
- Maple Leafs goaltending prospect Artur Akhtyamov will play next season in their farm system, his agent Dan Milstein confirmed to Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun. The 22-year-old Russian was a fourth-round pick of Toronto back in 2020 and has put up great numbers in his native country since, culminating in a .921 SV% and 2.51 GAA in 17 games for KHL side Ak Bars Kazan this season. He was signed to his entry-level contract last summer and is projected to compete for time with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies in 2024-25.
I totally understand not wanting to sign off on a long term deal before seeing the city, but really Linus comes across as a Diva.
He’s trying to be nice and couch his reticence in family language instead of saying what he means, which is “This team has been terrible, and if it continues to be terrible I am outta here, dawg.”
OR he truly is a family man and that’s why he nixed a couple of trades during this past school year.
Hmmm, Ullmark isn’t going to talk extension with Ottawa. Seems like that would have been a good question to ask BEFORE the trade Ya think?
normally I’d say yes, but the fact he wouldn’t talk extension is likely why the price was lower than most expected. I’m not going to fault Staios after he got out from under Korpisalo deal
If the Sens offer $7+mil per on a long term deal Ullmark needs to sign on the dotted line. He could roll the dice & play out his contract in hopes he matches his numbers in Boston & cash in as a FA. Plus he can pick a team in America to play for.
@fljay73 — There is almost no humanly way possible for Ottawa’s D to improve so much, as to be indistinguishable from Boston’s. Ullmark may very well be underwater most of the year, and just hope he can be dealt at the trade deadline. Sens games on TSN 1200 ought to be even more entertaining next season, though.