Let the guy play a few games before signing him long term maybe?? How have the Sens not learned from their (many) past mistakes???

Sens extend ullmark. 4 years at 8.25.
Little pricey, but the goalie market is changing.
- david22

That's pretty much exactly where I suspected an extension would end up - right in the $7.9M-$8.3M salary ceiling for the team's other best players. The term pretty much echoes the 4-year window the team was already working with in terms of the Tkachuk/Chabot contracts, so that's not really a problem. The NMC is always a major issue, but Ullmark is a high-end player that's worth the risk - especially given that it also quiets the one major distraction that could have become a major issue later in the season.

Let the guy play a few games before signing him long term maybe?? How have the Sens not learned from their (many) past mistakes???
- AxlRose91

Apparently not although like some people have said, Ullmark's got a much better/stable track record so at least they're basing themselves on facts rather than what-ifs or maybes.

I still would've preferred a signing around Xmas after seeing some chemistry on-ice with the rest of the team but it ain't my money. Let's hope this signing turns out good.

Holy cow .... Sens fans here seem to have some major PTSD going on.

Ya its good but maybe not ..... LOL.

Can't you all just be happy without a caveat attached. This is great news on the extension. Staios and company just continue to plod along slowly and thoughtfully as they rebuild this whole franchise. Since Andlauer and partners bought the franchise has there really been a noticeable misstep or error. Nope. Any on-going poop show? Nope. But everyone appears to be just sitting there waiting for a shoe to drop and the "I told you so's" come out of the woodwork. Just be happy the train is back on the tracks and moving forward.

As a side note .... didn't Staios almost look "giddy" in the news conference with Ullmark. I think I saw a smile almost break out. But it was a good job and great signing IMO. The term works out to expire the same times as Chabot and Tkachuk terms expire. So if all of this does not work out it is easier to rebuild.

One thing to note about the vaunted Boston defence. In actuality that defence gave up more high risk chances then Ottawa gave up. BUT, the Bruins received better goaltending to negate most of those chances, whereas Ottawa did not get those timely saves.

I was surprised by the deal today, given Igor Shesterkin turned down a record-breaking contract for a goalie just a day or two prior. I guess they were not looking at each other’s situations like I anticipated. I think Ullmark probably could have gotten more with a hot start/good season. Color me, pleasantly surprised.

There is inherent risk to the deal considering the cap hit, but what deal at that level is not a risk? We have seen similar contracts for Norris and Tkachuk go opposite directions since signing. Sometimes you must risk a bit to get ahead.

This is not similar to the Korpisalo signing (or any other goalie signing since Anderson departure). Ullmark had a good track record last season and despite ‘losing the starting job’ in Boston. Any naysayer can just review the Korpi’s game last night for Boston. The Senators simply could not sustain keeping him on the roster and continuing with that dumpster fire.

Why I like the Ullmark Deal
He won the Vezina Trophy.
He won it just last year (2023)
No other Vezina goalie has played for the Sens - other than Dominik Hasek, who played for a total of 43 games for Ottawa.
8.25M is a big jump but for a true #1 goalie who can play 45-52 games a season; especially since Sens have not had that since Craig Anderson about 5-6 years ago - the term is more digestible than the cap hit

Why I don't like the deal
He did not play 1 game for the Sens..... he has not played ONE game for the Sens. This was the case when Pascal Leclaire got 4 years, when Matt Murray got 4 years, when Korpisalo got 5 years. So while I think he has earned the deal, it won't kick in until October 2025. That is still 1 full year away from now. Alottt can change in that time. The other thing that concerns me is Swayman taking the job from him. For 8.25M I don't want someone I have to question if he's the ruler of the net. This shouldn't be like Vegas when they won the cup. Ullmark needs to be THE GUY in nets and he should carry the torch

Holy cow .... Sens fans here seem to have some major PTSD going on.

Ya its good but maybe not ..... LOL.
- OttawaB

"PTSD" happens because of previous, negative experience(s).

Why I don't like the deal
He did not play 1 game for the Sens..... he has not played ONE game for the Sens. This was the case when Pascal Leclaire got 4 years, when Matt Murray got 4 years, when Korpisalo got 5 years.
- AlfieisKing

This guy's getting it. That's why some Sens fans here "have PTSD" on this deal.

I really hope it does work out. The credentials are certainly there. I just would've liked to wait a couple of months before doing this kind of deal even it it meant having to pay a bit more. At least Ullmark seems to like the place so that's a major plus in my book - he wants to be here. First official game is tonight so let's see how that pans out...

no OttawaB we cannot just be happy

And there are plenty of other folks in here who will know with more in-depth certainty than I why waiting for the other shoe to drop is what some of us are doing.

Haven't made the play offs in what..7 years? With largely this crew.
New coach who, while tough and firm and blah blah...has career notes of losing - and getting fired. Oh...so does his assistant.

We have an oft injured 8 million dollar D man. An oft injured 8 million dollar center. Depth at both of those positions is reasonable at best.

My 300 level season tickets went UP 10$ a night per seat. I'm sure parking went up too. Unless Andlauer is 1st cousins with Arthur Blank I doubt concessions went anywhere but up as well.

And finally our fantastic new owner just made a deal with the literal Devil to buy land downtown and build a new building in the center of logistical/trasnportation/parking hell. But sure, it'll look really pretty there.

no OttawaB we cannot just be happy

And there are plenty of other folks in here who will know with more in-depth certainty than I why waiting for the other shoe to drop is what some of us are doing.

Haven't made the play offs in what..7 years? With largely this crew.
New coach who, while tough and firm and blah blah...has career notes of losing - and getting fired. Oh...so does his assistant.

We have an oft injured 8 million dollar D man. An oft injured 8 million dollar center. Depth at both of those positions is reasonable at best.

My 300 level season tickets went UP 10$ a night per seat. I'm sure parking went up too. Unless Andlauer is 1st cousins with Arthur Blank I doubt concessions went anywhere but up as well.

And finally our fantastic new owner just made a deal with the literal Devil to buy land downtown and build a new building in the center of logistical/trasnportation/parking hell. But sure, it'll look really pretty there.
- Octavarium

I feel there was more positivity when Korpisalo signed his deal with less pedigree than Ullmark. Very strange times.

Everything in life is getting more expensive. Not just entertainment. I am sorry that your privileged seasons seats cost a little more out of pocket. Especially considering the new ownership is trying to improve things regard the team and building as best they can from the cluster(frank) that they purchased. Lots of fans would like season tickets but can’t even afford to go to one game. It is what it is. Watch your privilege.

Literally 90% of sporting arenas are located in downtown areas and the cities seems to do fine in terms of getting people to the buildings. Not sure why so many are against it, and I am located west of Kanata. I am always astounded that people think the new building plan is just going to be picking up the CTC and dropping it off at Lebreton. While I am not new to poor city construction infostructure that Ottawa falls into 90% of the time, you have to assume there is a parking/transit/logistical plan down the pike.

Can we just not enjoy the prospect of a new season and some exciting new things to come rather than just moan and complain before the puck has even dropped on the year?

Thanks gord. I'll get my shovel to walk behind your high horse.
Enjoy the season at home.
I'll do my best with my privilege to support the team.

I think after last year, and how high the hopes got, people are super wary and cynical. Same goes with the history with goalies.

Ullmark trade was a win. Getting him signed was a win. Now, it has to translate to wins on the ice.

There are literally no more excuses for this team - new owner, new GM, new coach, and new goalie all addressed issues over the last two years.

And as for the arena...I'm still wait a see about that. Given what happened with the LRT, I think Ottawa (the city) can mess up a good thing quicker and easier than Ottawa, the team. For me...I live nearby but don't go to games because of how horrible the parking is. I can't see the downtown location solving that problem unless the LRT is running fully and smoothly. Given the fact I was trapped on a train for 40 mins a couple of days ago, I'm wary about that too.

And Grimma I'm not all negative. I truly believe that the train WILL be running smoothly in a year or 5 or whenever that stadium is finally built down town. I just don't believe people will ride it to a stadium downtown from Orleans. Or from Kanata. Or beyond those places. And to hear Cyril Leeder say during the presser that "parking concerns were addressed" I know they know it too. 10,000 plus will wanna drive. If it's anywhere near the fiasco that Landsdowne is.....ughhhh. Nope.

You never get to test drive any UFA, but they get signed all the time. Giroux didn't play a game before signing either. Reality is this is a premium player, and he's only signed until his age 35 season. People still talk about Gibson having value because he put up some 920s nearly a decade ago, but he's been sub 905 for five years and yet, still, by all accounts, moveable because of his pedigree. Just like Matt Murray - had to eat a bit, but moveable. Korpisalo on the other hand... I have no idea what Boston were thinking. Bought an anchor. All to say, if Ullmark truly does not pan out, he's got the pedigree to be moved.

You never get to test drive any UFA, but they get signed all the time. Giroux didn't play a game before signing either. Reality is this is a premium player, and he's only signed until his age 35 season. People still talk about Gibson having value because he put up some 920s nearly a decade ago, but he's been sub 905 for five years and yet, still, by all accounts, moveable because of his pedigree. Just like Matt Murray - had to eat a bit, but moveable. Korpisalo on the other hand... I have no idea what Boston were thinking. Bought an anchor. All to day, if Ullmark truly does not pan out, he's got the pedigree to be moved.
- Bartacus

Interesting comparison about likening this extension to a UFA signing, this is quite similar to that. While I had the same thought about Ullmark being traded, he has a full NMC, so he'd need to waive. He seemed to want stability for his family when signing, but that can always change, particularly in this city.

I made the comparison in the past that this is roughly the age that Anderson was when he joined the team. Hoping this will be a repeat.

I feel there was more positivity when Korpisalo signed his deal with less pedigree than Ullmark. Very strange times.

Everything in life is getting more expensive. Not just entertainment. I am sorry that your privileged seasons seats cost a little more out of pocket. Especially considering the new ownership is trying to improve things regard the team and building as best they can from the cluster(frank) that they purchased. Lots of fans would like season tickets but can’t even afford to go to one game. It is what it is. Watch your privilege.

Literally 90% of sporting arenas are located in downtown areas and the cities seems to do fine in terms of getting people to the buildings. Not sure why so many are against it, and I am located west of Kanata. I am always astounded that people think the new building plan is just going to be picking up the CTC and dropping it off at Lebreton. While I am not new to poor city construction infostructure that Ottawa falls into 90% of the time, you have to assume there is a parking/transit/logistical plan down the pike.

Can we just not enjoy the prospect of a new season and some exciting new things to come rather than just moan and complain before the puck has even dropped on the year?
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Perhaps my memory is off, but I recall the opposite. People were very apprehensive about the Korpisalo signing, with good reason it seems.

We've just been burned too many times in the past so fans are understandably wary, even this goalie should allow us to be optimistic / give us cause to believe things could be different, on paper at least.

Stu wilh the PP goal!

this team has not changed one bit from last year, the same let the other team shoot, and hope they don't score, hope to get the puck and then attack.....

A win is a win!

Did Hamonic play... Decently???? I did not expect him to play that much.

Ullmark looked great. Only for beat by a traffic goal.

Team had 30 blocks... Sanderson had 7!

this team has not changed one bit from last year, the same let the other team shoot, and hope they don't score, hope to get the puck and then attack.....
- Mithos

Not sure what game you were watching. But I thought the Sens played a good game, and a good defensive game. Florida and Ottawa had the same number of shots. Both goalies played well. High risk chances were kept in check by Ottawa. Yes, we saw Florida have a bigger spurt of offence in the 3rd period, as would be expected. But Ottawa weathered it and held the lead. This year, we got good goaltending with timely saves. But IMO, no big hair on fire defensive moments.
When you block 30 shots, you are doing something good defensively. Gave up no power play goals (0-2 by Florida .... and the PK was 1-3). A tidy night against a powerhouse team.
Also a very balanced game with only Sanderson around 24 minutes, Zub around 21 minutes ..... the rest of the d-men were around 16 minutes (Hamonic, Klevin, Jensen) to 19 minutes (Chabot). The 4rth line played around 9-13 minutes and most other forwards were 13-19 minutes. All in all everyone got some good balanced playing time. I thought Travis Green and the coaches handled the bench well.

For a first game of the regular season, this was a good showing. But it is only 1 game. Now let's see how they fare versus Montreal on Saturday.