One of the bigger stories in the National Hockey League at the moment is entering around Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark of Lugnvik, Sweden. Ullmark has taken a personal leave of absence from the Senators organization and has not played since struggling in a 7-5 Senators loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 27.
Now, there have been a lot of rumors to the reason why Ullmark has left the team, and a lot of the rumors are purely speculative. As long as Ullmark is not on the Senators roster, rumors will swirl as to why he is not on the team. As the rumors proceed, and the Ullmark situation creates a distraction, there will be a growing possibility he could be traded.
Senators GM Steve Staios not pleased
The Senators general manager has put out a statement according to Aaron D’Andrea of Global Ottawa, and has expressed his displeasure.
“Our organization was extremely disappointed to read the completely fabricated and false stories that are spreading around social media about our hockey club. Linus is away from our team for personal reasons and he has the entire organization’s support. We ask that people respect his privacy. But clearly that request has not been heard by the lowest forms of trolls and six people who scour the internet. We are disgusted that outside forces are attempting to disrupt our hockey club. This statement will put an end to the ridiculous speculation that has spread online.”
Ullmark’s statistics in 2025-26
Ullmark has a record of 14 wins, eight regulation losses and five losses in extra time. He has a goals against average of 2.95, save percentage of .881, and one shutout. This is Ullmark’s second straight season with the Senators after nine seasons with the Boston Bruins. During the 2022-23 NHL season with the Bruins, Ullmark won the Vezina Trophy, presented to the game’s best goaltender.
Ullmark’s shutout this season
Ullmark’s shutout this season came on December 18. In a week before Christmas, the Senators blanked the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0.
Senators’s current goaltender situation
The Senators’s current number one goaltender is Leevi Merilainen of Oulu, Finland and the backup is James Reimer of Morweena, Manitoba. Reimer was signed by the Senators on Monday, fuelling the speculation that the Senators could move Ullmark. With the Senators having back-to-back games this weekend against the Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings, expect Reimer to get one of the two starts.
Worst team in the Atlantic Division
Ottawa is currently at 22 wins, 19 regulation losses and five losses in extra time for 49 points. Despite being last in the division, they are only five points back of the Boston Bruins for a playoff spot.
