Bruins GM: I 'wasn't that aggressive' about trading Ullmark
Despite rumors of a potential move that would have sent Linus Ullmark to the Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said he "wasn't that aggressive" about trading the netminder, per the Boston Globe's Matt Porter.
"I really like the tandem we have now," he told reporters on Friday, including NBC Sports Boston. "I'm very happy that we've (stood) pat there. Rumors are rumors in terms of what happens in private conversations. You guys know me well enough. It's not coming from here in terms of what we're trying to explore, what other teams are asking about.
"If I had to rob from a real strength of this hockey club, that was something we may have had to do if it made our team ultimately better, and we didn't move in that direction. That's not an indictment on the two great goaltenders we have."
ESPN's Kevin Weekes first reported that the Bruins had a deal in place to send Ullmark to an unnamed team at the deadline, but the netminder nixed it "based on geography." Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli later added that the trade would have been made with the Kings.
Ullmark is signed for one more season after 2023-24 with a $5-million cap hit. His deal includes a 16-team no-trade list this campaign. Sweeney declined to answer whether Ullmark opted not to waive that protection.
"I acknowledge we've explored different situations," the executive said. "We had opportunities to move different players, but I'm not getting into the intricacies of what's in somebody's contract at this point in time."
The reigning Vezina Trophy winner, Ullmark has put up a 16-7-7 record to go along with a .910 save percentage and 2.77 goals against average this season. His running mate, Jeremy Swayman, has put up better numbers with 21 wins, a .922 save percentage, and a 2.45 goals against average. Swayman, a pending restricted free agent, is arbitration-eligible and due a raise over his current $3.475-million cap hit.
With several teams in need of a goalie - including the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, and New Jersey Devils - Ullmark's name had been generating some interest in the lead-up to deadline day.
Swayman made it clear on Thursday that he wanted his tandem partner to stay put.
"I mean, that guy is my brother for life," he said, per the Boston Globe's Conor Ryan. "He's a huge reason why we've had success every year. I have no doubt that there's not going to be any surprises, hopefully. I love that guy to death. ... Whatever happens, happens.
"We've dealt with it over the years. I mean, I don't even want to think about that."
The Bruins have a team save percentage of .932 at five-on-five this season - good for second in the league, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Boston currently sits in second place in the Atlantic Division with a 37-13-15 record. Largely hampered by cap constraints, the Bruins added veteran forward Pat Maroon and defenseman Andrew Peeke at the deadline.