Jun. 25, 2024 09:51 AM EST

Bruins Trade 2023 Vezina Trophy Winner Linus Ullmark To Senators For 1St-Round Pick And 2 Players

By KYLE HIGHTOWER
AP Sports Writer
FILE - Ottawa Senators' Mark Kastelic (12) skates during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, March 6, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. The Boston Bruins traded 2023 Vezina Trophy winning goaltender Linus Ullmark to the Senators on Monday, June 24, in exchange for the Senators' 2024 first-round draft pick, Kastelic and goaltender Joonas Korpisalo. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) Jae C. Hong, ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - Ottawa Senators' Mark Kastelic (12) skates during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, March 6, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. The Boston Bruins traded 2023 Vezina Trophy winning goaltender Linus Ullmark to the Senators on Monday, June 24, in exchange for the Senators' 2024 first-round draft pick, Kastelic and goaltender Joonas Korpisalo. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
FILE - Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) makes a save during Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, April 22, 2024, in Boston. The Bruins traded 2023 Vezina Trophy winning goaltender Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators on Monday, June 24, in exchange for the Senators' 2024 first-round draft pick, forward Mark Kastelic and goaltender Joonas Korpisalo. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
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BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Bruins traded 2023 Vezina Trophy winning goaltender Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators on Monday in exchange for the Senators' 2024 first-round draft pick, forward Mark Kastelic and goaltender Joonas Korpisalo.

As part of the transaction, the Senators will retain 25% of Korpisalo’s remaining salary.

It answers a looming question the Bruins had about who they would have starting between the pipes next season.

The plan was for Ullmark to be Bruins’ No. 1 netminder to open this season. But, instead he alternated with 25-year-old Jeremy Swayman, who was 25-10-8 in 43 starts with a 2.53 goals-against average during the regular season. The plan was to do the same in the playoffs; but after Ullmark lost Game 2 of the first-round series against Toronto, Swayman started the rest of the way, going 6-6 with a 2.15 GAA.

Boston was eliminated by the Florida Panthers in six games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The 30-year-old Ullmark spent three seasons in Boston, signing prior to the 2021-22 season as former goaltender Tuukka Rask attempted to return from a hip injury. When Rask's comeback attempt ended after just four games that season, Ullmark stepped in to the primary role and excelled, posting a NHL-best 1.89 goals-against average to help the Bruins set an NHL single-season wins record.

Swayman had a .933 save percentage and 2.15 goals-against average in the postseason. In his two postseason starts, Ullmark had a .886 save percentage and 3.90 GAA. Ullmark's numbers were down from .915 and 2.57 during his 39 regular-season starts.

Ullmark is set to make $5 million next year. Swayman is expected get a raise from the $3.475 million he was awarded in arbitration.

Boston's cupboard won't be completely empty behind Swayman with Ullmark gone.

Korpisalo, 30, appeared in 55 games with Ottawa during the 2023-24 season, recording a record of 21-26-4 with a 3.27 goals- against average and .890 save percentage.

In addition, the Bruins earlier Monday signed depth goalie Brandon Bussi to a two-way contract for next season worth $775,000

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AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

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