NHL Rumors: Ex-front office exec shares optimism around Linus Ullmark contract extension

By Evan Bell

Modified Aug 23, 2024 16:29 GMT

This offseason, netminder Linus Ullmark and the Boston Bruins parted ways. After the team was eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, Ullmark was shipped to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Joonas Korpisalo, Mark Kastelic and a first-round pick in this summer's NHL draft, which the franchise used on Dean Letourneau.

While Ullmark only has one year left on his four-year contract, former NHL general manager Shawn Simpson has revealed some big news surrounding the former Vezina Trophy winner. According to his sources, Ullmark has purchased a home in Ottawa, indicating his desire to stay with the franchise long-term.

There, he's expected to be the team's starting goaltender, with NHL vet and former 2016 AHL Calder Cup champion Anton Forsberg backing him up.

In addition, as Simpson wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Ottawa shares a number of similarities with Sweden, where Ullmark is from. Because of that, he believes all signs are pointing to the Senators extending Ullmark.

"Hearing Ullmark has bought a home in Ottawa," Simpson wrote. "I wouldn't be shocked if we hear about an extention before the season starts. If you've been to Sweden, you can understand Ottawa shares many of the same qualities of life. A great place for a young family."

Linus Ullmark's recent comments about Ottawa could indicate that he wants to stay with the Senators long-term

In addition to Shawn Simpson's recent report about Linus Ullmark, the netminder has also given indications that he wants to stay with Ottawa long-term. In June, after getting traded to the Senators, Ullmark spoke about the move, revealing that at no point did he have Ottawa on his no-trade list.

While reports circled indicating that he waived his no-trade clause to join the Senators, he explained in a press conference after the trade that he never had Ottawa on his 15-team no-trade list.

During his introductory press conference, Linus Ullmark spoke about his contract situation while also making it clear that he's heard Ottawa is a good place to raise a family.

"I'm very excited about what's to come because I see a lot of potential in the Ottawa Senators," Ullmark said. "The thing that everybody talks about is that Ottawa is a great place to raise a family, and that speaks volumes for me."

When looking at Shawn Simpson's recent report in conjunction with Linus Ullmark's comments, it seems as though a contract extension is likely to come to fruition. In regards to a potential extension, Ullmark said at the time that his agent and Senators President Steve Staios were working on things.

While he didn't have any big updates regarding contract talk at the time, he made it clear that he told his agent to contact him once there was something to discuss.

Given his comments about Ottawa and his friendship with Anton Forsberg, whom he played hockey with in Sweden long before the NHL, it seems as though it's only a matter of time before an extension comes to fruition.