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With the NHL season just getting started, there's speculation about whether the Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers should call the Boston Bruins about Linus Ullmark.

Jason Chen and Michael Amato discuss Victor Hedman as the Lightning's power-play quarterback and more.
Linus UllmarkLinus Ullmark

The Tampa Bay Lightning are trying to adjust with starting goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy sidelined by back surgery. They're hoping backups Jonas Johansson and Matt Tomkins can hold the fort until Vasilevskiy's projected return around early December.

Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers' tandem of Jack Campbell and Stuart Skinner performed poorly in the club's first two games. That's prompted some speculation over whether one of those teams will inquire into the availability of Boston Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark.

Winner of the Vezina Trophy last season, the 30-year-old Ullmark is signed through 2024-25 with an average annual value of $5 million. He also has a 16-team no-trade clause for this season, according to PuckPedia.

Stan Fischler brought up the possibility of Bruins GM Don Sweeney offering up Ullmark to the Lightning, pointing out that they've been grooming Jeremy Swayman as their future starter. However, sources informed Fischler that Lightning GM Julien BriseBois has no intention to trade for a goaltender.

Following the Edmonton Oilers' 8-1 season-opening loss to the Vancouver Canucks, Boston Hockey Now's Jimmy Murphy wondered how patient GM Ken Holland will be if his goaltending remains an Achilles' heel.

Murphy cited an NHL executive source who felt Holland could seek help between the pipes if Campbell or Skinner struggled this season. That source heard a rumor that the Oilers looked in on Ullmark and Swayman during the summer and felt they could do so again.

Plenty of time remains for the Oilers to get back on track following their opening-week stumbles. If Holland were to go shopping for goaltending help, he probably wouldn't get it from Boston. With the Bruins in transition this season, keeping their award-winning goalie tandem intact will help them remain a playoff contender. 

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