**Bruins Trade Proposal Swaps Linus Ullmark for Senators Package**
The Ottawa Senators are making a strong push to trade for Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark, one of the top players still available. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen reported on June 19 that the Senators have intensified their efforts to acquire Ullmark, especially after the New Jersey Devils traded for Calgary Flames’ Jacob Markstrom, removing him from the market.
“League sources say the Senators have circled back to the Bruins to see if there’s a fit to acquire Ullmark to steady the club’s struggling net, and those talks have intensified,” Garrioch reported. He noted that Ottawa’s interest in Ullmark has been long-standing, and they might now be the last serious team in the mix.
While the Senators could relieve the Bruins of Ullmark’s salary, it won’t come cheap. Andrew Fantucchio of Boston Hockey Now mentioned potential packages Ottawa could offer, including defenseman Jakob Chychrun and a first-round pick in the 2024 draft. Ottawa has a surplus of left-side defensemen, such as Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson, but lacks a starting goalie. They also hold two first-round picks in the upcoming draft.
**Senators’ Assets: 1st-Round Pick & Jakob Chychrun**
One option is offering a first-round pick, though this alone might not suffice. Fantucchio suggested that the Bruins are unlikely to trade Ullmark without receiving a first-round pick in return. The recent Markstrom trade, which included a first-rounder and a player, sets a precedent for Ullmark’s trade value.
Senators senior vice president Dave Poulin has discussed parting with the No. 7 overall pick, but the Bruins might be content with the No. 25 overall selection. Jakob Chychrun is another significant asset Boston might demand. Lyle Richardson of Bleacher Report mentioned Chychrun in a trade proposal on June 7.
Chychrun, with a $4.6 million cap hit, is entering the final year of his contract and has shown hesitation about his future with the Senators. Trading him could be viable if Ottawa fears he might leave. The Bruins, in need of a left-handed defenseman, could benefit from Chychrun, who would fit well next to either Charlie McAvoy or Brandon Carlo on their blue line.
**Bruins’ Linus Ullmark Expected to Leave Boston**
Ullmark, the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner, has been crucial for the Bruins but faces an uncertain future, especially with Jeremy Swayman emerging as Boston’s top goalie. Ullmark posted a .915 save percentage in 40 games during the 2023-24 regular season. Given his $5 million cap hit and secondary role to Swayman, the Bruins might consider trading him.
Kevin Weekes of NHL Network reported on March 8 that Ullmark used his modified no-trade clause to block a trade before the deadline. Bruins GM Don Sweeney mentioned during the team’s exit interviews on May 22 that he will explore trade opportunities for Ullmark.
“In a perfect world, we would keep the tandem. Because I think it’s damn good,” Sweeney said on May 22. “But we’re going to explore opportunities. My phone’s going to ring. I’m going to make calls. That’s just what the job requires.”
According to Garrioch, Poulin assured Senators’ fans that the club’s hockey operations department knows it must improve goaltending.
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