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"Ottawa’s gonna make the playoffs": Elliotte Friedman believes Linus Ullmark's impact could lead Sens to postseason
NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, on the September 6th episode of 32 Thoughts Podcast, discussed how Linus Ullmark could boost the Ottawa Senators' playoff chances.
He believes Ullmark doesn’t need to be perfect but just make a few extra saves each game. That, according to Friedman, could help the Senators make the postseason.
“He (Linus Ullmark) doesn’t have to be Dominik Hasek. But if he can give them just 2 more saves a night, and I think Linus Ullmark can, Ottawa’s gonna make the playoffs.” Friedman said.
Linus Ullmark joined Ottawa from the Boston Bruins in a trade on June 26. Last season, he had a 22-10-7 record, 2.57 goals-against average, and a .915 save percentage.
After his trade, Ulmark had praised the Senators' young, talented team and said their focus should be on consistency.
"It's a very young, but exciting team,” Ullmark said on June 26. “There's a lot of speed and a lot of skill. And whenever we played them, it always felt like they played a really solid game.
"Obviously, that was something that they kept doing against everybody during the season, but they really showed how dangerous and how good they can be. And it's all about consistency in my mind."
Ottawa has also made changes in management and coaching, hiring Travis Green as coach on May 7. General manager Steve Staios is confident that the team is ready to improve. Staios also mentioned that keeping Ullmark long-term is a priority.
Ullmark is in the final year of a four-year contract. He won the Vezina Trophy last season as the NHL’s top goaltender. Senators fans hope that his arrival, along with leadership from captain Brady Tkachuk, will help them secure a playoff spot this season.
Linus Ullmark aims to build winning culture as Senators' new goalie
The Ottawa Senators introduced Linus Ullmark as their new goaltender during a media event at Canadian Tire Centre.
Ullmark talked about settling into the quieter outskirts of Ottawa and adjusting with his family. He mentioned that his son, initially upset, became excited when he learned thay there would be snow at Christmas.
Ullmark also shared the importance of building a winning culture and aiming for the playoffs.
"The first step is to create a culture obviously, and try to get back into the playoffs. That's our first step, and then once we get there, then we're going to the next one, and that's the first round.
"Then you go on to do the next thing. Those are the steps along the way you have to achieve to be able to, ultimately, play for a Stanley Cup," Ullmark said.
He described himself as "carefree" in the net, letting go of mistakes while maintaining a strong desire to win. Excited about becoming the team's likely number one goalie, Linus Ullmark called it a "dream come true."
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