Why the Linus Ullmark Trade Still Makes Sense for the Ottawa Senators, Even if He Doesn't Re-Sign

No matter what happens with Ullmark and the Senators this season, the trade has built-in silver linings for Ottawa.

It seems like everybody approves of the Ottawa Senators 2024-25 goaltending solution: a big offseason trade for 2023 Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark. Ullmark was acquired in June from the Boston Bruins for Joonas Korpisalo, Mark Kastelic, and a first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft (C Dean Letourneau).

Ullmark is the real deal, leading the NHL in save percentage (.924) over the past three seasons among goalies to play at least 50 games.

But when you remind folks that Ullmark doesn't have a contract beyond next season and might have to be traded by the Senators at the deadline, the deal doesn't look quite as sweet to some people.

Here's why it's still a win for the Senators, even in the event that Ullmark won't sign an extension and they have to trade him at the deadline.

This floundering young team needs help learning how to win, even if the help is only here for a short time to get them into a groove. Picture a little kid learning to ride a bike. The Sens needed someone properly supporting them on the back end. It never takes long before kids figure things out and ride well on their own, even after their support lets go. 

A proven goaltender they can trust will do wonders for their confidence, allowing them to play without being terrified they'll fall and that every mistake will end up in their own net. What sucks the life out of a young bench faster than leaky goaltending?

Speaking of which, the trade also took 75% of Korpisalo's money off the books, which is a big deal in itself. Korpisalo's numbers were among the game's worst last season, and that contract, frankly, looked untradeable. 

If we assume Ullmark plays well all season, it's not like the Senators won't still get something pretty decent for him at the deadline. They might even be able to recoup the first-rounder they gave up to get him. At that point, either Anton Forsberg or Mads Sogaard should be able to take things home, feeling better insulated by a team that's found some swagger and learned how to win.

On the other hand, if Ullmark and the team don't play well, that still provides the Senators with valuable information they wouldn't have otherwise.

Here's why. There's probably a little of GM Steve Staios wrestling with the chicken or the egg thing. Which problem came first? The poor goaltending or the poor team defence?

The Senators' team defence has been an issue for a long time. People have blamed the coaches, so they changed that. People have blamed the goalies, and they've changed that, too. But this is the first time since Craig Anderson left that they've brought in a proven goalie who's on top of his game.

If the 2023 Vezina winner comes in and suddenly looks as shaky as the rest of the Senators' goalies have in the past five years, then Staios won't have to wonder anymore. That would all but prove it's more of a problem with the core, and some of it will have to go.

That's information Staios wouldn't have if he ran back the same two goalies this season.

Of course, in a more blue-sky picture, Ullmark thrives, re-signs, and helps the Senators advance into the playoffs sooner rather than later. That's what Sens fans really want, but it's nice for them to know that if things go a little sideways, the deal still has built-in silver linings.

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