3 reasons the Senators extending Linus Ullmark is a win for both sides
Prior to the 2024-25 season, the Ottawa Senators needed to solve their issue of trying to find a new number goaltender. Inconsistent goaltending has arguably the biggest reason the team has missed the playoffs since 2017.
The Senators were done playing around to find a goaltender when they made a trade with the Boston Bruins to acquire 2023 Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark. Just one day before the Senators start their 2024-25 season, the Senators have given Ullmark a four-year, $33 million extension ($8.25 AAV).
ULL IN!
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 9, 2024
The #Sens have signed @Icebeardude to a four-year extension! pic.twitter.com/fo06D9JP8M
Senator fans and the organization can now have a sigh of relief that they have a goaltender that can help them win games. Ullmark now signing an extension has given Ottawa new hope and excitement.
3 reasons the Senators extending Ullmark is a win for both sides
Extending Ullmark just one day before the season opener sends a message to rest of the NHL that the Senators are to be taken serious, and the Senators deserve to be taken serious now.
The wait to extend Ullmark came at the right time, and the excitement for the 2024-25 season has now skyrocketed.
3. Extension came at right time after the Bruins' season opener disaster
Due to Jeremy Swayman's contract situation before the Bruins' season opener, the Bruins announced they would start Joonas Korpisalo in goal for the season opener against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Even though Swayman did sign an extension before the season started, the Bruins still rolled with Korpisalo.
Korpisalo was the goaltender the Senators traded along with a 2024 first-round pick and Mark Kastelic to receive Ullmark. The first game for the Bruins was a disaster last night.
Korpisalo allowed in six goals in the Bruins' season opener. Four of Korpisalo's six goals allowed came in the first period. With Korpisalo struggling again to start the season, the trade looks better for the Senators and worse for the Bruins.
The first game struggles of Korpisalo showed that he was a big problem to the Senators' inconsistency. Now, the Senators don't have to be concerned with Korpisalo anymore, and get excited to see Ullmark start.
2. Contract was totally fair; the biggest risk is now gone
When players enter the final year of their contract, they will be looking to be paid well. Linus Ullmark having a Vezina Trophy over the past three seasons was going to help his case to be paid high. Now, Ullmark's contract was more than fair on both sides.
Ullmark is entering this season at 31 years old, and now has signed an extension for four-years, $33 million. Ullmark will be making $8.25 million per year which is more than fair until 2029.
The evolution of goaltender contracts have been shaky for years, but $8.25 million is more than fair for Ullmark with having a Vezina Trophy on his resume. Ironically, $8.25 million is the same salary his ex-teammate Jeremy Swayman received from the Bruins.
When the trade was made for Ullmark, it came with a risk of taking for Ottawa by taking on an expiring contract. If the Senators were to miss the playoffs in 2025 or were considering trading Ullmark to a playoff contending team at the trade deadline, trading for Ullmark wouldn't have been worth it. Now, the biggest risk of trading for Ullmark is gone with the extension.
The price of Ullmark's contract also allows the Senators to sign other free agents in 2025. With the Senators having key free agents after the season like Claude Giroux, Nick Cousins, Anton Forsberg and Ridly Greig, the Senators can have money to sign players in free agency.
Ullmark also isn't going to be the highest paid player on the Senators. The highest paid player on the Senators remains Tim Stutzle. In the end, the contract length and salary per year was more than fair for Ullmark, and he deserved the extension.
1. The Senators are committed to winning and have a better future
What the Senators easily did by extending Linus Ullmark is they sent a message that they are committed to win now and for the future. After being a door mat for the past seven seasons, the Senators are now committed to have success.
The Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division are extremely tough to play in, and the Senators needed to make a move to show they need to be taken serious. Extending Ullmark will help them send a message to the rest of the NHL that they care to win.
2025 can be a year that the Senators could make the playoffs, but they now have a better future because of Ullmark getting an extension. With Ullmark on board, the rest of the young core can now contribute to help bring winning back to Ottawa.
Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Josh Norris, Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot will be core pieces for years. The Senators can now find other pieces to add to the young core.
Drake Batherson and Shane Pinto are destined to take big steps this season, and David Perron recently spoke how he wants to be part of Ottawa's core. Claude Giroux, Nick Cousins, Travis Hamonic and Nic Jensen are also good veteran players to have on a young team.
Ullmark's extension helps the Senators be more committed to winning because Ullmark is an elite goaltender that can win games, now the pressure is on the Senators to putting the right supporting cast around him.
With opening night tomorrow, the excitement around the Senator fans and team have been skyrocketed with Ullmark signing an extension. This season offers more reason to be a special one for the Senators with Ullmark between the pipes.