Trade Pitch Sees Bruins Dealing Goaltender for $10.28 Million Forward

Trade Pitch Sees Bruins Dealing Goaltender for $10.28 Million Forward

In one of the most impactful moves ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft, the Boston Bruins have traded star goaltender Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators. The deal marks a major strategic shift for both franchises as they prepare for the 2024-25 NHL season. In exchange for Ullmark, the Bruins received goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, center Mark Kastelic, and the 25th overall pick in this year’s draft. As part of the agreement, Ottawa will retain 25% of Korpisalo’s remaining salary, helping Boston manage its cap situation more effectively.

Linus Ullmark, 30, was the NHL’s Vezina Trophy winner in the 2022-23 season, recognized as the league’s top goaltender after a dominant campaign in which he posted a league-best .938 save percentage and 1.89 goals-against average. However, his numbers dipped slightly during the 2023-24 season, finishing with a .915 save percentage and a 2.57 goals-against average in 40 games played. In the playoffs, he struggled in limited action, recording a .886 save percentage and a 3.90 GAA in two appearances. Despite these setbacks, Ullmark remains one of the league’s most respected and reliable goalies and is expected to immediately assume the starting role in Ottawa.

For the Senators, the acquisition is a clear sign they are serious about becoming contenders. After years of rebuilding, the franchise is now pushing to solidify its roster, particularly in net—a position that has plagued them in recent seasons. With new head coach Travis Green behind the bench, Ullmark brings stability, experience, and leadership to a team that desperately needs all three.

Boston’s side of the trade is equally compelling. The move clears the way for 25-year-old Jeremy Swayman to take over as the Bruins’ undisputed starting goaltender. Swayman has steadily developed into a top-tier netminder and is due for a significant contract extension this offseason. By trading Ullmark, Boston not only avoids a potentially awkward goalie timeshare but also frees up cap space and adds a valuable first-round pick to restock its prospect pool. The inclusion of Joonas Korpisalo and Mark Kastelic gives the Bruins depth at both the goaltending and forward positions, though Korpisalo will likely serve as a backup.

This trade is a clear reflection of where both teams stand in their competitive cycles. Ottawa is ready to contend and needed a stabilizing presence in net, while Boston is recalibrating, focused on youth, flexibility, and building around emerging stars. The trade will be closely analyzed throughout the season, but for now, it stands as one of the most notable early moves in what promises to be an active NHL offseason.

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