This recently traded Bruin is one of the top pending UFAs for the 2025 NHL Offseason.
Earlier this offseason, the Boston Bruins traded star goalie Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Joonas Korpisalo, Mark Kastelic, and the 25th pick of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft (Dean Letourneau). While Ullmark was excellent for the Bruins, the rise of Jeremy Swayman and the Bruins having other needs to improve made him expendable.
However, another notable reason why the Ullmark trade made sense for the Bruins was that the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner is entering the final season of his contract in 2024-25. The Bruins simply could not afford to lose a player of his skill level for nothing.
Ullmark has yet to sign an extension after being traded to the Senators. Due to this, when looking at the pending UFAs for next summer, Ullmark is currently among the best players.
Linus Ullmark
© Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
If Ullmark does not sign an extension with the Senators and hits free agency next offseason, he will be one of the hottest commodities on the market. This is because the 31-year-old showed during his stint with the Bruins that he can be a legitimate elite goaltender. Thus, teams needing an upgrade at the starting goaltender position would pursue him if he does not end up sticking in Ottawa.
Ullmark appeared in 40 games this past season with the Bruins, recording a 22-10-7 record, a 2.57 goals-against average (GAA), and a .915 save percentage (SV%). In 130 games for the Bruins over three seasons, he had an 88-26-10 record, a .924 SV%, and a 2.28 GAA.
