Bruins Rumors: What's Holding Up Linus Ullmark Trade Revealed

The entire hockey world is aware that the Boston Bruins are motivated to trade Linus Ullmark. And we know that there are suitors. So what's the hold up to this point? According to hockey insider Jeff Marek on NHL Network on SiriusXM Monday morning, there's one main hurdle to overcome (well, two, but they're related):

We know how Boston plays and we know that they put a premium on defence... If you're a goaltender, you want to play behind that, don't you? So if you're Linus Ullmark, you're saying to yourself 'Well, if I'm loose from Boston, and I don't have that blueline in front of me, my numbers probably aren't going to be the same. So if I'm going to waive my no-trade to go anywhere, I want an extension.

With Ullmark's 16-team no-trade clause, he holds the hammer over all this. He has just one season remaining at $5 million, and would much rather see his next contract negotiated with his recent stats from Boston doing the talking, including a Vezina Trophy win in 2023, rather than risk a poorer defensive team in front of him hurting his numbers going into contract negotiations.

Ullmark went 22-10-7 this past season with a .915 save percentage and 2.57 goals against average, and in 2022-23 he was untouchable, going 40-6-1 with a .938 Sv% and a 1.89 GAA. Yes, that'll get you a nice extension.

The Ottawa Senators are thought to be the frontrunner to land him, and although he is on Ullmark's no-trade list, he is said to be willing to waive for Ottawa—IF the required extension is hammered out.

In summary, per Marek, "It's not a matter of if they'll trade him, but rather when they'll trade him."