The Boston Bruins traded goalie Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators, effectively ending the NHL’s top goaltending duo. Ullmark, 30, was sent to Ottawa on Monday in exchange for forward Mark Kastelic, goalie Joonas Korpisalo, and a 2024 first-round draft pick (No. 25). The Senators will retain 25% of Korpisalo’s salary. Ullmark, who has one year remaining on his contract with a $5 million salary cap hit, also has a partial no-trade clause.
Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman formed an outstanding goaltending pair, anchoring Boston’s strong team defense. Their performance earned them the Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals allowed in the 2022-23 season, during which Ullmark also won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender. However, in the 2023-24 season, Swayman played slightly more regular season games and took on the majority of starts in the postseason, which ended for the Bruins in the second round. Swayman, 25, is a restricted free agent and is likely to secure a long-term, lucrative deal with Boston. Given the team’s other financial needs, trading Ullmark and his salary was a pragmatic decision.
Boston’s general manager, Don Sweeney, expressed gratitude towards Ullmark in a social media statement, acknowledging his “contributions” and calling him “a star on and off the ice.” This season, Ullmark posted a 22-10-7 record with a .915 save percentage and a 2.57 goals-against average.
Korpisalo, 30, is under contract for four more years after signing a five-year deal with the Senators last summer. With Ottawa retaining part of his salary, the Bruins will take on a $3 million cap hit for Korpisalo. This past season, Korpisalo underperformed for Ottawa, recording an .890 save percentage and a 3.27 goals-against average in 55 games. The Senators, looking to shed his contract, will now have Ullmark join goalie Anton Forsberg, 31, to form a new goaltending tandem.
Kastelic, 25, played in 63 games during the 2023-24 season, contributing five goals and five assists for a total of 10 points. The 6-foot-4 center, drafted in the fifth round in 2019, ranked third on the Senators in penalty minutes (63) this season and will be entering his fourth NHL season. This trade marks a significant shift for both teams, aiming to balance their rosters and cap situations effectively.
