Ottawa Senators Search For Answers After Linus Ullmark Injury
The Ottawa Senators are facing a major setback as starting goaltender Linus Ullmark has been sidelined with a week-to-week back injury. This news comes as a blow to the Senators, who were riding a wave of momentum after a strong start to the season.
Plan B Needed:
General manager Steve Staios’ gamble on Ullmark seemed to be paying off.After a somewhat rocky beginning, the former Vezina Trophy winner had settled into a groove, leading the Senators to an impressive 8-0-1 record during a nine-game stretch. However, Ullmark’s history of injuries raised concerns. This latest setback is the third time this season he’s been sidelined with a physical ailment.
With Ullmark out, the Senators find themselves in a precarious position.the team’s playoff hopes hinge on finding a suitable replacement who can step in and maintain thier competitiveness in a tight Eastern Conference race.
Tightening Race:
Since Ullmark’s absence, the Senators have stumbled, posting a 1-4-0 record. This dip in form has allowed rivals like Pittsburgh, Montreal, and Detroit to close the gap in the standings. The Senators currently hold the final wild-card spot, but their margin for error is shrinking with each passing game.
The impact of Ullmark’s absence is evident in the Senators’ recent struggles. They currently rank 16th in the NHL in save percentage, a significant improvement from previous seasons and their best showing as they last made the playoffs in 2017.Much of this success can be attributed to Ullmark’s stellar play, who boasted a.915 save percentage and the 13th-best goals saved above expected according to MoneyPuck.com.
The Senators will need to act quickly to address this void in net if they hope to maintain their playoff aspirations. Finding a capable goaltender who can provide stability and leadership will be crucial to their success in the coming weeks.
Can John Gibson Solve the Ottawa Senators’ Goaltending Woes?
The Ottawa senators are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, but a glaring weakness threatens their aspirations: goaltending. With Linus Ullmark sidelined, the Sens currently rely on a combination of young and inconsistent netminders. While 22-year-old Leevi Merilainen has shown promise with an .884 save percentage, his lack of experience is evident. Anton Forsberg, returning from injury, hasn’t been the answer, posting a subpar .885 save percentage and ranking 27th-worst in goals saved above expected at minus-2.9 according to MoneyPuck.
Last season, the Senators missed the playoffs in part due to their reliance on then-rookie Mads Sogaard, who struggled down the stretch. General Manager Pierre Staios cannot afford a repeat of that scenario.
Recognizing the urgency, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas discussed potential solutions on their latest edition of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast. Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson emerged as a prime target. Like Ullmark, Gibson has battled injuries, but his talent is undeniable. This season, he boasts a .914 save percentage and two years remaining on a $6.4 million AAV contract.
While the Senators have limited cap space ($2.514 million according to CapWages), placing Travis Hamonic or Jacob bernard-Docker on long-term injured reserve could free up the necessary room.
However, acquiring Gibson wouldn’t be cheap. Friedman suggests Anaheim is seeking a hefty return, and Ottawa may be hesitant to meet the asking price. The Senators hold five third-round picks over the next two years and a second-rounder this year, which could be appealing assets to the Ducks.
Gibson, with his career .910 save percentage and strong current form, should be Ottawa’s top priority.He represents a potential long-term solution, allowing the Senators to build a goaltending tandem similar to the successful pairing of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman in Boston.The clock is ticking, and Staios must act decisively to solidify his team’s playoff chances.
Ottawa Senators Desperate for Goaltending Help After Ullmark Injury
The Ottawa Senators are facing a major crisis in net after star goaltender Linus Ullmark‘s injury, leaving General Manager Pierre Dorion scrambling for solutions. With the playoffs within reach, finding a reliable replacement for Ullmark is critical to the team’s success.
limited Options on the Trade Market
According to renowned NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Senators are exploring all available options, but the trade market isn’t exactly overflowing with desirable goaltenders.”Once Ullmark goes down, and Gibson, the options become few and shaky,” Friedman stated. Manny teams still harbor playoff aspirations and are hesitant to part with capable goaltenders, especially within the same conference.
Names like Montreal’s Cayden Primeau have been tossed around, but his struggles this season (.836 save percentage) make him a risky proposition. Calgary’s dan Vladar (.888 save percentage) might be an upgrade,but the playoff-contending Flames are unlikely to make him available.
Band-Aids, Not Solutions
Other possibilities include Joonas Korpisalo who is currently with the Bruins but still being paid by the Senators, and Chicago’s Petr Mrazek. While Mrazek has a history with the Ottawa institution, his current save percentage of .893 and hefty $4.25 million cap hit make him less than ideal.
Friedman summed it up perfectly: “ After scouring the league for options to replace Ullmark in the near-term, there appears to be no clear solutions besides Gibson — just band-aids that appear to fall apart once used for a little bit.”
Dorion’s Next Move: A Must-Win Situation
Dorion had a stroke of brilliance last offseason by acquiring Ullmark and immediately securing him with a long-term extension. now, he faces another crucial test. Can he replicate his magic and find a solution in net to keep the Senators’ playoff hopes alive? Time is of the essence,as the Senators haven’t seen postseason action since 2017.
