Desperate to find a goaltender to help the team win games, the Ottawa Senators made a trade in June 2024 to acquire Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins. Ullmark was the former 2023 Vezina Trophy winner.
Ullmark had one year remaining on his contract at a $5 million salary when the Senators traded for him. Before last season started, Ullmark signed a four-year contract extension at an $8.25 million cap hit per year.
Last season, Ullmark became the first Senators goaltender since Dominik Hasek in 2005-06 to win 25 games in a season. Ullmark helped the Senators reach the playoffs for the first time in eight years. However, with the 2025-26 season getting closer, there could be fear that Ullmark could have a season as his former goaltending partner in Boston Jeremy Swayman did last season.
Why Senators could fear Ullmark could play like Swayman did last season in 2025-26
Last season, Swayman had a struggle to sign a new contract with the Bruins. In the end, Swayman signed an eight-year contract extension to remain a Bruin with an $8.25 million cap hit per year before the season started. Ironically, Swayman and Ullmark have the same cap hit on their respected teams.
In his first season with the $8.25 million cap hit, Swayman struggled last season, and so did the Bruins. Swayman recorded a 22-29-7 record with a 3.12 goals against average and .892 save percentage in 58 games (all games played were starts). Swayman's struggles were a factor to the Bruins finishing in last place in the Atlantic Division. For his first season into his new contract extension at 26 years old, it was a tough one for Swayman.
Ullmark was solid in his first year as a Senator. Along with winning 25 games, Ullmark recorded a 2.72 GAA and .909 save percentage in 44 games played (43 starts). Ullmark also added four shutouts on the season. Now at 32 years old, Ullmark is eager for a better second season in Canada's capital.
However, there can be reason to be concerned about Ullmark for this upcoming season after having some struggles last season, and it being the first year his $8.25 million cap hit begins.
In 13 of his 43 starts last season, Ullmark allowed in four or more goals. Ullmark had a few tough months over the course of the season where he was inconsistent. Ullmark also suffered injuries over the course of last season to put him out of action for some time.
Now with having the $8.25 million cap hit, Ullmark will be relied on more by the Senators to remain healthy and not have a down year. If Ullmark has some struggles and injury concerns, his salary could be a an issue moving forward for the Senators.
One thing the Senators have is a quality backup with 23-year-old Leevi Merilainen. In 12 games last season, Merilainen recorded eight wins with a 1.99 GAA and .925 save percentage. Three of Merilainen's eight wins were shutouts.
With the season he had in 12 games, Merilainen will be due for more action this season with Anton Forsberg leaving in free agency. However, Ullmark is still the top goaltender on the depth chart, but struggles could make the Senators fear he could play like Swayman did last season with the Bruins.