The Senators have spent much of the season trying to find consistency, but it is hard to do so. Some nights show progress, but much has gone wrong in their last eight-game stretch. They have lost six games in that duration and are close to the playoff bubble in the Atlantic Division. Recently, attention has shifted toward Linus Ullmark and a situation away from the ice.
Insider Links Ullmark’s Leave to Trade Talk as Questions Grow in Ottawa
Ottawa sits eighth in the Atlantic Division and continues to chase points. The team scores at a reasonable rate, with Tim Stutzle leading the offense, but defensive breakdowns and a weak penalty kill have caused repeated issues. Those problems have led to mixed results and raised doubts about the Senators’ playoff chances, which they qualified for last year.
Questions arose after Ullmark was granted a leave of absence on December 29. Online rumors quickly followed, prompting the Senators to issue a public response.
In the team statement, general manager Steve Staios said, “Our organization was completely disappointed to read the completely fabricated and false stories that are spreading around social media about our hockey club.” He added, “Linus is away from our team for personal reasons, and he has the entire organization’s support.” Staios also said, “We are disgusted that outside forces are attempting to disrupt our hockey club. This statement will put an end to the ridiculous speculation that has spread online.”
Despite that response, speculation continued around the league. Insider David Pagnotta spoke about the situation on Jeff Marek’s The Sheet. He said, “There have been a lot of rumours around Ullmark’s leave and whether his relationship with the organization has been strained in some fashion. It sounds like that’s the case.” Pagnotta also added, “Other teams I’ve talked to have heard his name out there.”
On the ice, Ullmark’s season has mirrored the team’s inconsistency. He holds a 14-8-5 record with a 2.95 goals-against average and an .881 save percentage. In wins, he has been much stronger, posting a .913 save percentage and managing rebounds well. In losses, defensive issues have left him vulnerable. His placement on Non-Roster status has changed things since, leaving room for speculation.
READ MORE: Senators’ Brady Tkachuk Makes Feelings Crystal Clear on Logan Stanley’s Sucker Punch
Ullmark remains under contract through the 2028-29 season, so two more seasons after this one. And he is earning $8.25 million on average annually, making his situation necessary for Ottawa’s long-term plans. The Senators are backing him publicly, but outside voices question what comes next. As Ottawa tries to fix its season, clarity around Ullmark’s status could become a key part of the bigger picture.
For now, Ottawa will try to shift the focus back to hockey in its next game. The Senators host the Florida Panthers on January 10 at 7 p.m. ET. Florida enters the matchup with a 22-18-3 record, while Ottawa sits at 20-18-5, giving the Senators a chance to reset and gain ground in a tight Atlantic Division race.
