NHL analyst points out Linus Ullmark and Ottawa Senators to face "Game of Chicken" over future contract extension

By Evan Bell

Modified Jul 12, 2024 16:58 GMT

Late last month, Linus Ullmark was acquired by the Ottawa Senators as part of a trade with the Boston Bruins. While the trade means that the 2023 Vezina Trophy Winner will play netminder for the Senators next season, he only has one guaranteed year remaining on his deal, including the 2024-25 season.

Given that, NHL analyst Frankie Corrado believes that the two sides could wind up in a game of chicken when discussing a contract extension. Currently, Ullmark is one of nine players up for an extension, along with the likes of Leon Draisaitl, Mitch Marner and Sidney Crosby to name just a few.

While none of the nine players, with the exception of Linus Ullmark, are members of the Senators, there's no telling how contract extension talks will play out between the two sides. At the time he was acquired by the Ottawa Senators, he revealed that he hadn't discussed an extension with the team just yet.

Speaking on an episode of TSN's SC on Thursday, Corrado spoke with Jay Onrait to discuss Linus Ullmark's future with the Senators:

"It should be a little bit of a game of chicken between the two. For the Ottawa Senators, they’ve committed to Joonas Korpisalo, so they had to find a way to get out of those two contracts.

"Ullmark comes over as a former Vezina nominee and was really good in Boston, so signs point to getting him locked up for some reassurance in net. But from Ottawa’s point of view, let’s see how he fits and how the team plays in front of him."

"I try not to look too far ahead" - Linus Ullmark opens up on his future with the Ottawa Senators following trade

As previously mentioned, at the time Linus Ullmark was acquired by the Ottawa Senators, he made it clear that he and the team hadn't discussed an extension yet.

Speaking to media members less than 48 hours after the Senators acquired him, he explained that finding a place for him and his family to live and finding schools for his kids was his primary focus along with familiarizing himself with those in the Senators organization.

Given that, he explained that he didn't want to look too far ahead, indicating that he didn't have a problem with a lack of extension talk. As he revealed, he is leaving negotiations up to his team while staying in the moment and focusing on acclimating to life in Ottawa.

"The whole contract situation and the talks about that, that is something that Steve [Staios] and my agent will deal with off to the side. I told them as well that once there is something that needs to be discussed, you can always reach me ... I try not to look too far ahead.

"I try to stay in the moment and not worry about what may or what could be in the future and instead, just enjoying the present."

Once the Senators' season starts on Oct. 10, it will be interesting to see how the early portion of the season plays out in regards to a potential extension.