One thing the Ottawa Senators have had issues with for years has been goaltending. To put an end to finding a number one goaltender, the Senators traded for 2023 Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins.
Ullmark had a long way to the top after struggling with the Buffalo Sabres to begin his career, but Ullmark became a top goaltender in his three seasons in Boston. Entering this season, Ullmark will be the key factor to determine the Senators success.
However, if Ullmark was too have success this season like he had in Beantown, there might be a problem for the Senators, and it's something that a lot of Senator fans want to see get taken care of.
Linus Ullmark's new contract could be a problem for the Senators as it currently is for Jeremy Swayman and the Bruins
Although Ullmark isn't a member of the Bruins anymore, his former goaltending partner is currently having contract issues. Jeremy Swayman has not signed a new contract with the Bruins still even after three months since Ullmark was traded to the Senators.
Bruins President Cam Neely says that the Bruins offered Swayman a $64 million contract but in a stern way.
Cam Neely on Jeremy Swayman: “I would have 64 million reasons why I’d be playing right now.”
— The Skate Pod (@TheSkatePod) September 30, 2024
pic.twitter.com/V5k5Ttd34d
"I would have 64 million reasons why I'd be playing right now," Neely said.
How is Swayman's situation in Boston an issue for Ottawa? Ullmark will be an unrestricted free agent after the season at a salary of $5 million. If Ullmark has a big season, which could be a season where the Senators make the playoffs, Ullmark's asking price could be too high for the Senators to pay. Swayman's price for Boston right now appears to be too high if Neely is making a remark about 64 million.
According to PuckPedia, the Senators have five players making over $7 million per season. The Senators also will have important free agents after 2025 including Ullmark. Some of the other free agents include Claude Giroux, Noah Gregor, Anton Forsberg and Nick Cousins.
It could be possible that if Ullmark is asking too much money for being in his early 30s, Ottawa might be interested in signing another goaltender in free agency or hope either Leevi Merilainen or Mads Sogaard develops quickly. Ullmark also could ask for a very high contract with his success in Boston and depending on how his season goes in Ottawa.
Paying Ullmark before this season or during the season could come with risk for Ottawa. The thought of Ullmark signing an extension and then struggling after signing it could happen. If Ullmark was to struggle after signing an extension before or during season with the Senators, it can cause the Senators to second guess themselves.
Both Ullmark and Swayman were an elite goaltending duo in Boston. With the duo now broken up, this season adds more pressure on Ullmark with being a former Vezina Trophy winner. Contracts have become an area of concern for the teams they are playing for.