Senators Shift Ullmark Off Roster as Goaltending Questions Grow
Right now, one of the biggest talking points around the Ottawa Senators isn’t a trade or a blockbuster injury, but a quiet roster move that says a lot about where the team stands. The Senators have placed goaltender Linus Ullmark on a non-roster list, creating space to bring veteran forward Lars Eller back into the lineup. On paper, it’s a technical adjustment. In reality, it’s a move that has people paying close attention to Ottawa’s crease and the direction of the season.
Ullmark has been away from the team since late December due to personal reasons, and this roster decision simply formalizes that absence. He remains under contract, and his full salary still counts against the salary cap, which is important. This is not a demotion or a trade setup. It’s a procedural step that allows Ottawa to ice a full 23-man roster while he’s unavailable.
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The timing, though, is why this is trending. Ullmark’s last appearance came in a rough loss against Toronto, where he was pulled early after struggling to settle in. That game capped off a stretch where his numbers hadn’t matched expectations. For context, Ullmark is not just another goalie. He’s a former Vezina Trophy winner who was brought to Ottawa to stabilize a position that has been a long-term issue for the franchise. When a goalie with that résumé steps away, even temporarily, it naturally raises questions.
At the same time, the Senators are welcoming back Lars Eller, a steady, experienced center who has missed several weeks with injury. Ottawa has been near the bottom of the Atlantic Division, and depth down the middle has been thin. Eller’s return gives the coaching staff a reliable two-way option and helps balance the forward group during a difficult stretch of the season.
The immediate impact is that Ottawa is now leaning on younger goaltenders to carry the load. That puts pressure on a team already fighting consistency issues and trying to stay competitive in a tough division. Longer term, Ullmark’s absence adds another layer of uncertainty. His return timeline is unclear, and until he’s back, the spotlight will remain on the Senators’ goaltending performance and overall stability.
So while this move may look minor on a transaction page, it reflects a bigger picture. Ottawa is juggling roster flexibility, player health, and expectations that haven’t been met so far. How the Senators handle this stretch without their top goaltender could shape the rest of their season. That’s the situation for now, and it’s something the league will be watching closely in the days ahead.
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