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Senators taking their time in considering contract extension for Linus Ullmark

Senators taking their time in considering contract extension for Linus Ullmark

September 4, 2024

The Ottawa Senators are not pushing to get a contract done with Linus Ullmark.

President and general manager Steve Staios told reporters Wednesday that he wants the newly acquired goaltender to get comfortable with the community before contract talks begin.

Ullmark was acquired in June in a trade with the Boston Bruins in exchange for goalie Joonas Korpisalo, centre Mark Kastelic and a first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

It was a gamble for Ottawa in trading for Ullmark with the 30-year-old heading into the final year of his contract. However, the Senators have been looking for stability in net, which the team believes Ullmark can bring after posting a 22-10-7 record with a 2.55 goals-against average and .915 save percentage last season.

Ullmark says his family is enjoying the peace and quiet since moving to Ottawa and told reporters that he is at his best on the ice when his family is doing well.

But, the expectations are high, as Ulmark believes the team needs to have the right mindset from the beginning in order to make a push for the playoffs.

“It doesn’t matter what team, you have high expectations of your team. We all play to win, winning is fun,” Ullmark told reporters. “The first step is to create a culture and try to get back in the playoffs.”

The Buffalo Sabres are facing a crucial decision as they weigh whether or not to offer goaltender Linus Ullmark a contract extension. Ullmark, who is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season, has been a key player for the Sabres this year, posting a .917 save percentage and a 2.63 goals against average in 20 games.

However, despite his strong play, the Sabres’ management is taking their time in considering whether or not to offer Ullmark a new deal. This decision is not one to be taken lightly, as signing Ullmark to a long-term contract could have significant implications for the team’s salary cap and future roster construction.

One factor that may be contributing to the Sabres’ cautious approach is Ullmark’s injury history. The 27-year-old netminder has dealt with a number of injuries throughout his career, including a lower-body injury that sidelined him for several weeks earlier this season. While Ullmark has been able to bounce back from these injuries and perform well when healthy, his durability is certainly a concern for the team’s decision-makers.

Another consideration for the Sabres is the performance of their other goaltenders. Backup goalie Carter Hutton has struggled this season, posting a .886 save percentage and a 3.47 goals against average in 13 games. The team also has promising young goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in their system, who could potentially challenge for the starting job in the near future.

Ultimately, the decision on whether or not to extend Ullmark’s contract will come down to a number of factors, including his performance on the ice, his injury history, and the team’s long-term goals. While Ullmark has proven himself to be a capable starter for the Sabres, the team’s management will need to carefully weigh all of these factors before making a final decision on his future with the team.