Pierre LeBrun of the Athletic reported that the New Jersey Devils could look to acquire Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins.
Pierre LeBrun of the Athletic reported that the New Jersey Devils could look to acquire Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins.
LeBrun reports that the Devils are looking at Ullmark as a possible option if they cannot make a deal with the Calgary Flames. Ullmark is signed for next season at $5M. Ullmark's deal is a million dollars cheaper and is also signed for a year less than Jacob Markstrom (from 'LeBrun: Rumblings on non-rental trade targets ahead of the deadline — Buchnevich, Markstrom, Ullmark, more,' The Athletic, 03/04/24).
Ullmark was the Vezina Trophy winner in the 2022-23 season. Ullmark had a record of 40-6-1 with a .938SV% and a 1.89GAA. This season, he's posting a .910SV% and a 2.80GAA.
The tandem between Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman has worked greatly for the Boston Bruins, and the news that the Bruins wanted to trade Ullmark came as a shock to many people. From the Bruins' perspective, it makes sense. Swayman has been the better goaltender this season and is five years younger.
Swayman needs a new contract at the end of the season, and the logical decision for the Bruins would be to lock up the younger goaltender.
The Devils are persistent on trying to make a deal for Markstrom either at the trade deadline or in the offseason, but if the Flames won't budge, Ullmark would be an excellent alternative.
Ullmark is 30 years old, four years younger than Markstrom. The goaltender that GM Tom Fitzgerald acquires may come down to the assets they have to give up.
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