4. Linus Ullmark
The Boston Bruins are in a spot they haven’t been in for a long time. They are facing a possible rebuild. Patrice Bergeron could retire. Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy could miss the first few months of the season. David Pastrnak could be asking for a trade. It might be curtains for the Bruins’ run as one of the best teams in the NHL.
Last offseason, they made a huge move to try and replace Tuukka Rask, who ended up trying to come back anyway. They signed Linus Ullmark to a four-year deal that pays him $5 million per season. He ended up losing the starting job to Jeremy Swayman, who at 23 years old became the playoff starter against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Ullmark is now sitting here with a bad contract for the Bruins. He’s one of many, but he’s one of the only ones with term. Three years at $5 million per is an anchor the Bruins don’t want, even in a rebuild. It would be hard for the Devils to give them an out on that contract, but it could be an interesting proposition. If the Devils strike out on some other starter options, Ullmark is a good backup plan. He would cost less than a lot of other options since the Bruins want out of that contract.
Here’s the thing, Ullmark was actually really good this season. He had a .917 save percentage. In fact, he’s never had a season with under a .900 save percentage. He’s only had one under .910. He’s a really consistent goalie who just hasn’t had name recognition. The Devils would be lucky to get him.