Sens Writer: Senators Acquire Linus Ullmark From Bruins

It's hard not to say Ottawa won this trade no matter what. They basically paid the rental fee AND dumped a salary they didn't want.

Ottawa wins by dumping salary no matter how Ullmark plays.

^^I agree with this^^

And still though....Boston didn't do terribly either. They get their first round pick back. They get a gritty 4th liner who actually has really good face off numbers. They weren't going to keep Ullmark anyhow and they need a reasonable 1A behind Swayman incase the kid gets the yips. I don't blame Korpi for most our goaltending issues last year. It was team defense and structure. He'll look better in Boston. Nearly every goalie that leaves Ottawa looks better somewhere else.

^^I agree with this^^

And still though....Boston didn't do terribly either. They get their first round pick back. They get a gritty 4th liner who actually has really good face off numbers. They weren't going to keep Ullmark anyhow and they need a reasonable 1A behind Swayman incase the kid gets the yips. I don't blame Korpi for most our goaltending issues last year. It was team defense and structure. He'll look better in Boston. Nearly every goalie that leaves Ottawa looks better somewhere else.
- Octavarium

Righto! If Korpi regains his form, he could be a TDL trade or go next summer for a reasonable return. Hell, he may go this summer with his salary being $3M AAV, but not for much.

Now it's time for OTT to make a play for Konecny. OTT is obviously pushing to be a playoff team and more so Konecny could be a nice option on that 2nd line.

The 25% ($1m) Korpasalo hold back works out to a negligible 1.13% of the Sens cap for next year. Even with the addition of Ullmark ($5m), Staios has retained enough cap flexibility to shop for a free agent RD.

Will he also be able to move Chychrun for a top 6 skater?

Now it's time for OTT to make a play for Konecny. OTT is obviously pushing to be a playoff team and more so Konecny could be a nice option on that 2nd line.
- J35Bacher

Konecny is not a great fit. He just does not match up (age wise) with the young team leaders who are still a couple of years away from being serious contenders.

Now, it might be a conversation worth having, if we were talking about Foerster straight up for Chychrun.

Righto! If Korpi regains his form, he could be a TDL trade or go next summer for a reasonable return. Hell, he may go this summer with his salary being $3M AAV, but not for much.
- HenryHockey

I don't think Boston should have any problem flipping Korpisalo. They might add another 25% to the hold back and make him available at $2m (25% each for Boston and Ottawa).

DeBrincat trade with Chicago was horrible. Almost as bad as the Zibanejad trade.

Effectively Staios has been able to convert DeBrincat into Ullmark and dump the UFA contract given to Korpisalo.

A really impressive first day of serious trading on his part.

Now, we will see if he can hit another home run in moving Chychrun.

Konecny is not a great fit. He just does not match up (age wise) with the young team leaders who are still a couple of years away from being serious contenders.

Now, it might be a conversation worth having, if we were talking about Foerster straight up for Chychrun.
- spatso

That does nothing for the Flyers.

That does nothing for the Flyers.
- J35Bacher

How bout:

From Ottawa: 7th Overall, Branny or JBD, and Joseph
From Philly: bonk and Forester and 12th Overall

I don't think Boston should have any problem flipping Korpisalo. They might add another 25% to the hold back and make him available at $2m (25% each for Boston and Ottawa).

DeBrincat trade with Chicago was horrible. Almost as bad as the Zibanejad trade.

Effectively Staios has been able to convert DeBrincat into Ullmark and dump the UFA contract given to Korpisalo.

A really impressive first day of serious trading on his part.

Now, we will see if he can hit another home run in moving Chychrun.
- spatso

I think(hope) this is the plan. While unproven the Bruins have several strong goalie prospects in the pipeline. Their only position of strength right now. I think they're going to flip Korpisalo at the draft or try to get him back to form by the TDL. The draft seems more likely as the Bruins currently have no 2nds or 3rds this year.

Wonder if OTT brings back Senko after he won his second cup, he brings valuable experience in that regard and since OTT did him a solid dont see why he would not want to come back

Wonder if OTT brings back Senko after he won his second cup, he brings valuable experience in that regard and since OTT did him a solid dont see why he would not want to come back
- Mithos

He may resign in FLA for less than what OTT or other teams offering.

Or he may be looking for his last contract - multi year, bigger money.

If neither one of those things happen, I have zero problem with the Sens offering another one year deal at $4-5 million. But with a better NTC.

At least we got the higher draft pick for Tarasenko with FLA winning....

I liked Tarasenko here too.
By all accounts he liked it here.

He had great chemistry with Joseph (so naturally they split them up)

He may resign in FLA for less than what OTT or other teams offering.

Or he may be looking for his last contract - multi year, bigger money.

If neither one of those things happen, I have zero problem with the Sens offering another one year deal at $4-5 million. But with a better NTC.

At least we got the higher draft pick for Tarasenko with FLA winning....
- GrimmdaGoalie

FLA is not keeping him, they have way too many to sign primary being Reinhart

That does nothing for the Flyers.
- J35Bacher

Exactly. And, the same for the Sens.

Chychrun is heading West. Either Utah of Seattle.

Exactly. And, the same for the Sens.

Chychrun is heading West. Either Utah of Seattle.
- spatso

So long as he gets us the precious RHD. Or a scoring LW.

I liked Tarasenko here too.
By all accounts he liked it here.

He had great chemistry with Joseph (so naturally they split them up)
- Octavarium

When Staios sent Tarasenko to Florida, I remember thinking that they return was so minimal I wonder if there is more to this than it appears.

Could they repeat and sign him to a reasonable deal with a commitment to send him to a contender at the deadline if the Sens are not playoff bound.

There are going to be some very good players available over the next week. Many teams still fighting cap pressures.

The 25% ($1m) Korpasalo hold back works out to a negligible 1.13% of the Sens cap for next year. Even with the addition of Ullmark ($5m), Staios has retained enough cap flexibility to shop for a free agent RD.

Will he also be able to move Chychrun for a top 6 skater?
- spatso

What about Chuchryn for a top pair RD...? Ironically, I think Karlsson is exactly the guy you need there in Ottawa. I'm not actually sure I want to trade him but Chuchryn with an extension in hand would fit into Dubas plan to get younger.

Fantastic trade for Ottawa. If Leaf’s don’t ship MM out it’ll be either a Utah or Ottawa jersey for me!

Demelo off the market, re-signs in WPG

Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios went on Ottawa radio show TSN 1200 on Tuesday morning to discuss the aftermath of his first big move with the team – the acquisition of former Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins. The Senators gave up this year’s 25th-overall pick and players Joonas Korprisalo and Mark Kastelic for Ullmark, and don’t plan on letting their new star walk soon – with Staios sharing the team is already focused on an extension, captured by Sportsnet’s Wayne Scanlan (Twitter link). Staios added that an extension is all part of the process and thus may not come quickly, though it is a priority.

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/

Demelo off the market, re-signs in WPG
- Mithos

DeMelo getting nearly $5million means Mountour and Pesce will get $7million.

DeMelo's signing sets the market for Roy and Walker, IMO. Means a RHD will cost us $4 to 5 million.

Carrier at 4 x 4.25 would be ideal.

I like Zub more than DeMelo and I think Zub is overpaid (4 mil max). But hey, if that's the market for a solid RHD, then what can you do.

Has anyone played competitive hockey or heard people talk about WHY having RHD is really important? What's the issue of being left handed on the right side? Can't you just set up differently?

I think Ullmark is a significant upgrade on Korpisalo. His save percentage has been over .915 for 5 seasons. I like the trade overall. Hard not to be a bit pessimistic about the contract situation given the experience with the Debrincat and Chychrun deals, but I am willing to see it play out as I did those deals.

Ullmark will not singlehandedly turn this team into a playoff team, let alone a contender. There are still roster issues to address. I am speculating that the defense will be shaken up and that some quality depth forwards will be added.