Trading Linus Ullmark ‘a priority’ for the Boston Bruins, according to reports.

After falling short of reaching the conference finals for the sixth straight season, the Boston Bruins are already looking ahead to the offseason and the tasks that must be completed before the start of the next season.

High on the agenda? Dealing with the goalkeeper problem and attempting to move 1B Linus Ullmark to 1A Jeremy Swayman before the 2024 NHL draft in June, according to reports.

According to sources close to the team, the Bruins have prioritized making that trade, as reported by Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic on May 19.

“Moving Ullmark before the 2024 NHL Draft is a priority for the Bruins,” Shinzawa stated. “Trading Ullmark for futures, as the market once projected, could get (Bruins’ General Manager Don Sweeney) and his scouts some much-needed action at the draft table in Las Vegas.”

Linus Ullmark Didn’t Want to Move Mid-Season

According to Shinzawa, Ullmark was apprehensive about being traded in the middle of the season. However, those concerns were not related to his probable destination, but rather to transferring his family.

“Ullmark expressed reservations about being moved before the March 8 trade deadline, primarily because an in-season deal might have required him to uproot his family,” according to a source close to the Boston Bruins goaltender who spoke with Shinzawa.

After revealing the knowledge, Shinzawa added, “Whether Ullmark would feel the same way about an offseason trade is unknown.”

Fascinating day for #NHLBruins, sounds like they had a deal on the table to move G Linus Ullmark to #LAKings that didn't end up crossing the finish line.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 8, 2024

Ullmark and GM Sweeney have not revealed if the goaltender exercised his no-trade clause last March, when Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli claimed on March 8 that the Bruins “had a deal on the table” that “didn’t end up crossing the finish line.”

Ullmark has one season left on his four-year, $20 million contract expiring at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, and he won the Vezina Trophy award as the best NHL goalie in 2023.

Bruins’ Linus Ullmark Opens Up About His Situation & Future

After continuing in Boston, Ullmark concluded the 2023-24 season with a.915 save percentage in 39 regular-season starts. Swayman, who is playing an increasingly important role, with a.916 save percentage in 43 starts.

Ullmark’s goaltending partner was a crucial Bruins performance throughout the postseason.

throughout the Bruins’ end-of-season media conference on May 19, Ullmark expressed his unwillingness to relocate his family throughout the season.

“Everybody’s been so nice, caring, and lovable,” Ullmark said of Boston and the group, according to NESN. “It makes you feel at home. That makes you want to remain there.

He expressed the hardship of relocating his family midway through the season, stating, “If you’re feeling that your life is taken care of, that your family is well and thriving… you don’t want to uproot them just because.”

“I believe that applies to anybody with children and families. It doesn’t matter what type of work you have.”

When asked about his no-trade clause, which covers 16 teams to which he can refuse a deal, Ullmark would not identify the teams on his list but did say, “There’s a reason for it.

“There can be personal issues. That is up to each individual player to have.”

Despite the alleged trade talks, Ullmark declared his wish to stay with the Bruins for the 2024-25 season, referring to it as a “revenge tour” of sorts.

“I have one more year,” Ullmark told reporters on May 19. “I wouldn’t want anything else except to return here. Get a little payback tour.

Swayman will be a restricted free agent on July 1, and trading Ullmark (who will earn $5 million next season) would help offset Swayman’s expected salary raise. Swayman is finishing a one-year, $3.475 million contract awarded through arbitration.