With everything being relative, a 38-of-39 winning performance Saturday afternoon against the Penguins at TD Garden was the easy part of the week for Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark.
In fact, this week was unlike anything the third-year Bruin has experienced, as Ullmark found himself front and center when it came to trade rumors ahead of the 2024 NHL trade deadline. These were not fan-created polls and rumblings, either, as there seemed to be a legitimate chance for the Bruins to move on from the 30-year-old. It even hit the point where Ullmark reportedly invoked his 16-team no-trade list to nix a trade that would’ve sent him to Los Angeles prior to Friday’s 3 p.m. deadline.
Speaking after Saturday’s win, Ullmark opted not to outright confirm or deny that report, but made it clear where he stands (and wants to stand) when it comes to being in Boston and with the Bruins.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 30: Linus Ullmark #35 of the Boston Bruins looks on wearing his mask during the second period against the Florida Panthers at TD Garden on October 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
But like with Sweeney, there is an answer within Ullmark’s answers, especially when he talked openly about how much of a relief it was to see the 3 p.m. trade deadline come and go yesterday.
“Oh thank God, yes,” Ullmark admitted when he was asked if he’s happy to be done with the trade deadline season. “It’s tough. I mean, you try to act tough beforehand. You know, you don’t want to show anything [and] you don’t want to show any emotion. It’s kind of like [when you’re] in a playoff situation as well. But it is tough on players.
“And this is the first time when I’ve had to go through actually being rumored about. I’ve always felt safe, you know? But then once it actually starts picking up more and more and more, you hear those outside noises. It takes a toll on you. And then there’s this emotional part of it, and then you start thinking about your family, and then there’s all these questions that you just don’t have any answers to. So I am very happy that it’s over with, and I’m very glad and happy to be here.”
Oct 22, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo (25) celebrates a win with goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) after defeating the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 at Honda Center. (Kiyoshi Mio/USA TODAY Sports)
But while there was nothing to be done to cure his anxiety leading up to the deadline, Ullmark revealed that he did have some strong support in his corner throughout the process.
“I had a good conversation with [Patrice Bergeron] the other day, so that really helped me,” Ullmark, whose last win before Saturday came all the way back on Feb. 9, revealed. “And [Charlie McAvoy] reached out to me yesterday as well with a very thought out text that really hit home. And it kind of just shows what kind of a group and what kind of people there is on this team. So I was very happy and emotional after I read [that text].”
This was more than just lip service, too.
The overwhelming vibe out of the Boston room on Saturday was that the Bruins were overjoyed that Ullmark is still on their club, and that the Bruins opted not to split up their one-two punch with Ullmark opposite Jeremy Swayman.
The importance and the depth of that relationship has been made clear again and again, and Saturday was no exception, with a post-victory celebration that saw Swayman motion at Ullmark and then the ice, as if to say “you’re still here.” Their traditional post-win hug was a bit longer than usual, too, and Ullmark’s ovation from the Garden crowd after being named the No. 1 star of the game felt like a louder pop than usual.
Bruins are 38-13-15. pic.twitter.com/cB18BDM46A
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) March 9, 2024“Well, there’s no easy games, but there’s some games you’re going to take with you a little bit longer, obviously, and you’re going to keep it in a little bit of the memory bank and you can pull it out from time to time, so same thing there,” Ullmark offered. “You know, I got emotional as well when Sway said all these nice words to me and, I would have done the same for him if he was in my shoes. And, you know, it’s tough to talk about, but like I said, I’m just so gosh darn happy.”
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 30: Jeremy Swayman #1 of the Boston Bruins and Linus Ullmark #35 celebrate after the Bruins defeat the San Jose Sharks 3-0 at TD Garden on November 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
As for any added motivation that can come out of a near-trade, Ullmark thinks that the noise is nothing new to him, and that’s simply about returning to the level that became his norm during a 2022-23 that earned him a Vezina Trophy.
“I think I proved what kind of a goaltender I can be last year, definitely,” Ullmark said. “There’s there’s been some ups and downs, obviously, during the season and during this time of period as well. I don’t think that I’ve personally played bad with all the outside noise, which I’ve been very proud of myself to keep battling through and performing.”
And battling for the team he has no interest in leaving.
