The Senators announced Sunday that starting goaltender Linus Ullmark will be taking a leave of absence from the team for personal reasons.
“Linus has the full support of our organization during this time,” general manager Steve Staios said. “Out of respect to Linus, we will not be making any further comments.”
Ottawa is eligible to designate Ullmark as a non-roster player for however long his leave lasts. Technically, he’ll be listed as indefinite, with the details of Ullmark’s absence at his discretion to disclose.
After last night’s wild 7-5 loss to the Maple Leafs, the Senators have a relatively easy schedule to contend with while they deal with the absence of their No. 1 netminder. Tomorrow’s game against the Blue Jackets kicks off a four-game homestand with two of those games against teams not in playoff position (Columbus and Winnipeg). Ottawa hits the road again to face the Mammoth on Jan. 8, a trip they’re hoping Ullmark can attend.
The Senators acquired the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner from the Bruins in the 2024 offseason in a blockbuster deal, eventually signing the then-pending free agent to a four-year, $33MM extension that kicks in this season. While Ullmark had a strong first effort in Ottawa last year despite injuries limiting him to 43 starts, he’s been among the league’s worst starters in 2025-26.
Under Ullmark’s 14-8-5 record in 28 starts this season lies a .881 SV%, 2.95 GAA, and -11.5 goals saved above expected that ranks worst in the league, per MoneyPuck. Ottawa’s top-10 offense and league-best 2.22 xGA/60 at 5-on-5 have helped limit the damage and kept them in the playoff race with an 18-14-5 record, but with backup Leevi Merilainen logging an even worse .874 SV%, goaltending has put the Sens’ chances of a second consecutive playoff appearance in extreme jeopardy.
Nonetheless, the 23-year-old Merilainen now figures to see the majority of action until Ullmark returns. The Sens have multiple recall options from AHL Belleville but will almost surely opt for sixth-year pro Hunter Shepard, who’s logged a .905 SV%, 3.16 GAA, and 5-5-1 record in 11 games.