It’s nonetheless too early to declare a definitive winner in the Linus Ullmark trade made between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators again in June. In any case, we haven’t even hit Thanksgiving but.
However with Ullmark slated to begin Saturday evening in his return to Boston, now is an efficient time to have a look at the early returns from this commerce.
And to this point, they’re trending within the Bruins’ favor.
Ullmark was after all the centerpiece of the deal. The transfer helped the Bruins create some wage cap area and paved the best way for Jeremy Swayman to become the undisputed No. 1 goalie in Boston. The Senators wanted an improve in web after lackluster goaltending destroyed their possibilities of making the playoffs final season.
Ottawa has already dedicated to Ullmark long run, signing him to a four-year, $33 million contract extension shortly earlier than the common season commenced. This deal makes him one of many high 10 highest-paid goalies within the league.
The Senators haven’t but obtained an incredible return for his or her funding. Ullmark has been unable to meaningfully improve the team by way of the primary month of the marketing campaign.
The previous Vezina Trophy winner is 2-4-0 with a .892 save proportion and a 3.02 GAA. His minus-3.5 objectives saved above anticipated ranks 62nd out of 71 qualifying goalies, per MoneyPuck. Ullmark’s most up-to-date begin was Tuesday versus the Buffalo Sabres, and he allowed 5 objectives on 34 pictures in a 5-1 loss.
It’s nonetheless very early within the season. Ullmark’s stats ought to enhance – and probably by loads – however his early affect for Ottawa has been destructive total. And the Senators are hoping an enchancment comes rapidly as a result of they entered Saturday with a 6-7-0 file, placing them in seventh place out of eight groups within the Atlantic Division.
The Bruins acquired veteran goalie Joonas Korpisalo as a part of the Ullmark commerce. His inclusion within the deal was universally criticized by followers and the media – together with yours actually – attributable to his struggles in Ottawa and the length and salary of his contract.
However the Finnish netminder deserves loads of credit score. He’s been fairly stable to this point, posting a 3-2-0 file with a .900 save proportion and a 2.72 GAA in 5 begins. Actually, Korpisalo has turned away 84 of the final 90 pictures he has confronted, which is a .933 save proportion. The Bruins simply want Korpisalo to be a dependable backup behind Swayman, and he has completed that goal to this point.
One of the best a part of the commerce for the Bruins, not less than so far, has been Mark Kastelic. The veteran ahead has settled into his function because the fourth-line heart and has really been considered one of Boston’s best gamers.
Kastelic has scored three objectives with 4 assists in 15 video games. He’s considered one of solely six Bruins gamers with greater than two objectives scored, and his seven factors rank fifth on the staff.
Kastelic is also profitable 55 p.c of his faceoffs, which ranks second on the staff. The Bruins ranked 21st in faceoff win proportion final season, and Kastelic’s dominance on attracts has helped them transfer as much as 11th to this point this season.
The third and last piece of the Ullmark commerce for the Bruins was the 25th total choose within the first spherical of the 2024 NHL Draft. The B’s used that chosen to take heart Dean Letourneau, who’s at present in his freshman season for Boston Faculty.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports activities
He has two assists in six video games for BC. He’s had a bunch of reps because the third-line heart on a loaded Eagles roster that ranks No. 2 within the nation with a 5-1-0 file getting into Saturday.
Letourneau has super measurement at 6-foot-7 and performs a typical energy forward-type sport. He’s a proficient offensive participant, wins faceoffs and performs bodily in all three zones. He’s drawn comparisons to Sabres star Tage Thompson. He’s tremendous younger, however the potential he has proven ought to make Bruins followers excited.
It will in all probability take some time to completely grade the Ullmark commerce, particularly since Letourneau isn’t anticipated to compete for an NHL roster spot for some time. He is solely 18 years outdated.
However the commerce has been good to this point for the Bruins. Korpisalo has performed nicely and Kastelic is making a robust affect within the backside six. And if Ullmark continues to wrestle, the Senators may miss the playoffs for the eighth straight season.
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