This statement is somewhat surprising considering there was earlier interest in both Ullmark and Swayman during the offseason. However, no specific reasons have been given for the change in stance.
As the 2023 NHL offseason got underway and stretched into mid-July, Linus Ullmark's name was frequently mentioned in trade talks. The Bruins' General Manager, Don Sweeney, was exploring ways to create salary cap space, leaving Ullmark uncertain about his future for the 2023-24 season.
Ullmark admitted during an interview in Nashville on June 26, just a day before receiving the 2023 Vezina Trophy.
Despite the trade speculation, Ullmark remained with the team. He still has two seasons remaining on his four-year, $20 million contract with a $5 million cap hit.
Instead of trading Ullmark, the Bruins opted to make moves in the NHL trade market involving other players. They traded veteran winger Taylor Hall (who has two years left with a $6 million cap hit) and the rights to unrestricted free agent-to-be winger Nick Foligno in exchange for defensemen Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula.
Ullmark's exceptional performance during the season, leading the NHL in wins (40), goals-against average (1.89), and save percentage (.938), marked him as one of the league's top goaltenders. He became only the eighth goalie in NHL history to achieve this impressive feat, the first since Carey Price did it in 2014-15. Alongside Jeremy Swayman, they formed the NHL's best goaltending duo, allowing the fewest goals in the league and earning the Jennings Trophy.
As seen on: Bostonhockeynow
POLL | ||
9 SEPTEMBRE | 135 ANSWERS NHL Executive Confirms Bruins Won't Trade These Key Players Do you think the Boston Bruins will trade goalies Linus Ullmark or Jeremy Swayman in the near future? | ||
Yes | 63 | 46.7 % |
No | 72 | 53.3 % |
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