The Boston Bruins have broken up the NHL’s friendliest goaltender tandem, shipping recent Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators.
The move was inevitable because Jeremy Swayman had emerged as the No. 1 goalie in Boston and as a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, he is due a big raise.
Ullmark and Swayman were famed for giving each other big hugs after a victory. That happened a lot in 2022-23 as the Bruins set an NHL record with 65 wins and Ullmark received the Vezina Trophy as top goaltender.
The Senators send goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, depth forward Mark Kastelic and the 25th overall pick in 2024 to the Bruins. Ottawa retains 25% of Korpisalo’s salary.
The Senators signed Korpisalo to a five-year, $20 million contract as a free agent, but he went 21-26-4 with a 3.27 goals-against average and .890 save percentage. Ullmark is an upgrade at 2.57 and .917. He has a year left at $5 million.
The Ullmark trade is the third major goaltending move this month.
The New Jersey Devils acquired Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames, and the Los Angeles Kings acquired Darcy Kuemper from the Washington Capitals.
.
