Ottawa Senators sign new goalie Linus Ullmark to 4-year extension

New Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark has signed a four-year, $33-million contract extension on the eve of his debut with the team.

The 31-year-old Swede was acquired from Boston in June for goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, forward Mark Kastelic and the 25th overall draft pick the Bruins later cashed in for forward Dean Letourneau.

Ullmark won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goaltender in 2023 after his second of three seasons with Boston. He followed up by stopping nearly 92 per cent of shots last season.

Ottawa had the worst team save percentage in the league last season at .888.

Ullmark is making an average of $5 million on his current deal, which was set to expire at the end of this season. The new deal lasts until the end of the 2028-29 season.

"When you get to this part of your career, you really want to put an emphasis on what's best for your family. And we felt that ever since we came here, it's been a great fit," said Ullmark in the news release.

'"In a short window of time, Linus has been able to see the culture we're trying to grow with our hockey club and his family has experienced the community spirit of Ottawa-Gatineau," said Ottawa's president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios.

Ottawa starts its 2024-25 season at home against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Thursday. The Senators will be trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Meanwhile, Boston, meanwhile Ullmark's former netminding partner Jeremy Swayman to an eight-year contract with an identical salary cap hit earlier this week. Korpisalo gave up six goals to Florida in his Bruins debut on Tuesday night.