Two widely known facts as the NHL offseason begins are the New Jersey Devils’ urgent need for a goaltender and the Boston Bruins’ availability of Linus Ullmark.
Discussions are underway for a potential trade involving Ullmark, with New Jersey general manager Tom Fitzgerald reportedly willing to trade the No. 10 overall pick in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. Fitzgerald stated, “If we feel it helps us now and in the foreseeable future, then, yes, I’m listening,” during the NHL scouting combine in Buffalo. Although no offers have been made yet, Fitzgerald is open to trading the pick for a significant return.
Ullmark, a former Vezina Trophy-winning goalie, ended the 2023-24 regular season as one of the top NHL netminders, with a 22-10-7 record, a .915 save percentage (fifth in the league for goalies with at least 30 games), and a 2.57 goals-against average (tied for eighth).
The Devils’ goaltending was less effective last season, with a combined save percentage slightly above .900 and a GAA of 3.02. Acquiring Ullmark would significantly boost their playoff chances. For the Bruins, trading Ullmark for the No. 10 pick would be advantageous as they currently hold only three picks in this year’s draft and none in the first three rounds, making draft capital crucial for restocking their prospect pool.
However, the Bruins face challenges in this potential trade. Ullmark’s contract includes a 16-team no-movement clause, allowing him to veto trades to half the league. He reportedly used this clause to block a trade with the Los Angeles Kings before the NHL trade deadline in March. Additionally, other teams like the Nashville Predators and Calgary Flames are also in the market for a goalie, which could make them more appealing trade partners for Fitzgerald.
Despite these hurdles, a trade with the Devils involving Ullmark seems beneficial for both sides, and more developments are expected in the coming weeks.
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