3 Reasons Linus Ullmark Deserves Another Chance With the Senators

After their ambitions of doing damage in this year’s playoffs were swept away in the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes, it might be time for the Ottawa Senators to consider some changes to their roster – and maybe their culture.

Yes, there was bad luck aplenty against the Senators in this series, from every hit post in overtime of Game 2 to a white-hot Frederik Andersen stopping almost everything thrown his way. The injury front was not kind to them either, as Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub were both injured throughout the series, taking out their top defensive pair, along with Tyler Kleven also missing the first two games, and Nick Jensen being ruled out well before.

Nonetheless, no offence, and the inability to match Carolina’s determination and drive to make plays was the main reason for just five goals in four games. Ottawa did show fight against the Toronto Maple Leafs in last year’s first round, but not before also falling behind 3-0 in that series. So now, questions need to be asked. Who on the roster, the coaching staff or even the management group is part of the problem, and who could be part of the solution?

One thing is certain: this series loss was not on Linus Ullmark. In fact, it can be argued that the Swedish goaltender has proven he can be part of the Sens’ solution in goal after a strong ending to his season.

Hot Second Half Since Mental Health Leave

Sens fans are all too familiar with how this season has gone for Ullmark – from his mental health struggles that led to time away from the team and circulating rumours about him on social media, to needing ‘rest’ in the middle of the team’s playoff push a few weeks ago in Tampa Bay. The start after, he allowed five first-period goals against the Florida Panthers, which further escalated backlash on his decision not to play the game before.

Ottawa Senators GM Steve Staios has made a statement in regards to the allegations on social media claiming Linus Ullmark outed his teammates' infidelities towards their partners, to his wife. pic.twitter.com/Kdmlk7h4v8

— PuckEmpire (@puckempire) January 9, 2026

Because of their goaltending struggles throughout the season – even without Ullmark – the Senators finished with the third-highest goals against above expected (GAAx) at 22.28, per MoneyPuck.

For what it’s worth, Ullmark still got back on track since returning from his leave of absence – posting 14 wins in 21 starts since the Olympic break with a 2.41 goals-against average (GAA). His goals saved above expected (GSAx) was still spotty, but it went from negative-13.7 before his leave to negative-12.8 – a near one-goal rise since returning, per Natural Stat Trick.

The rest of his goaltender stats and analytics this season were subpar, but Ullmark’s play was enough to help Ottawa scratch and claw back into the playoffs down the stretch. As if this wasn’t compelling enough, look at what happened in the first round.

Strong Playoff Performance

This is the obvious clincher for the case of keeping Ullmark in the fold. With a .932 save percentage (SV%) and a 2.03 GAA in the four games, he was by far one of the Senators’ bright spots in their brief playoff run.

The veteran goaltender gave his team plenty of chances to win each game. This especially includes Game 2, where he made massive saves throughout the second period to kickstart Ottawa’s two-goal comeback, robbed Jordan Staal in the dying seconds of the third to force overtime, denied Jordan Martinook on a penalty shot in the first OT – and his team still couldn’t net the winner. All this came before Martinook eventually redeemed himself with the game-winner late in double overtime to give his team a 2-0 series lead.

Per Sportsnet Stats, the Senators had 17 wins in the regular season when their netminders gave them a .930-plus SV%. Thanks to their inability to finish scoring chances, they recorded more losses in the playoffs than the entire regular season when getting this kind of goaltending.

With the high-danger chances Carolina got, Ullmark’s GSAx was 6.7 – second only to his counterpart Andersen, who was outstanding in his own right with a 1.10 GAA, a .955 SV%, and a 7.6 GSAx. For Ullmark to keep up and go toe-to-toe in the net with Carolina’s goaltending in all four games was massive for Ottawa, and could be a sign of great things to come next season if all goes right.

While Ullmark was great in this series, this was his first playoff run averaging a SV% above .900, something he had never done in his first four trips to the postseason.

• 2021-22 (Boston): .860 SV% in two starts
• 2022-23 (Boston): .896 SV% in six starts
• 2023-24 (Boston): .886 SV% in two starts
• 2024-25 (Ottawa): .880 SV% in six starts

Limited Goalie Options This Offseason

Making $8.25 million annually for the next three years, Ullmark might be the second-highest paid player on the Senators’ roster only to Tim Stutzle ($8.35 million), but he is the most viable option in goal for Ottawa right now.

General manager Steve Staios made him the sixth-highest paid goalie in the league when signing him to that four-year contract right before the start of last season – behind big names like Igor Shesterkin, Connor Hellebuyck and Jeremy Swayman, who also inked massive extensions in recent memory.

Whether Senators fans are comfortable with him or not, Ullmark is the main starting option for their team compared to the pending free agent goalies this summer.

Names like Cam Talbot or Connor Ingram might be slight upgrades over Leevi Merilainen and James Reimer, but certainly aren’t full-on starters that will put up great stats for 50-60 games.

A pivot to the aforementioned Andersen? Perhaps, considering his dominant first round performance, but he is in his mid-30’s with a lengthy injury history.

Sergei Bobrovsky? A proven winner, yes, but he also turns 38 in September and is likely looking for one last big payday this offseason.

Gauge the trade market? No telling other teams’ situations or who will be on that list.

The Senators have over $10.8 million in projected cap space heading into the offseason, and while changes might be on the table, they have to consider re-signing Jordan Spence and perhaps Claude Giroux, as well as upgrading in certain areas. For example, a stronger top-four defenceman to not only replace Jensen but to pair with Chabot or Spence, or a legitimate third- or fourth-line centre to perhaps move Shane Pinto to the wing.

They have to spend the money they have in some other areas, including the backup goalie position, but not for a legit starter – not after what Ullmark proved this postseason.