Report: Linus Ullmark Blocks Deal With No-Trade Clause

 We heard the rumors over the past week or so, that the Boston Bruins may consider trading reigning Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark in order to beef up other parts of the lineup, using their depth in goal. And it appears that they were about to do just that today, but hockey insider Kevin Weekes says Ullmark vetoed the deal.

.@KevinWeekes on ESPN The Point says #NHLBruins thought they had something with Linus Ullmark, “so there was a deal that he essentially nixed, in large part based on geography, I’m told.”

— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) March 8, 2024

Weekes reports that the Bruins thought they had a trade in place, but Ullmark used his 16-team no-trade clause to block it. “So there was a deal that he essentially nixed, in large part based on geography, I’m told,” said Weekes.

According to Boston Hockey Now, most of the teams on that no-trade list reside out West. They also note that the Bruins, as of this morning, were reportedly engaged in talks surrounding Ullmark with the Los Angeles Kings, Colorado Avalanche, and the Detroit Red Wings with the Kings being the frontrunners. That could explain the Ullmark veto. The New Jersey Devils, another team on the hunt for a goalie, settled for Jake Allen from the Montreal Canadiens earlier today.

Ullmark has been usurped this season as the best goalie in Boston by his partner in crime, the younger Jeremy Swayman. Ullmark has started 32 games, and has a 2.77 GAA with a .909 save percentage. Swayman, however, has started 36 games with a 2.45 GAA and .922 Sv%. He is expected to sign a big extension this summer.

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