Report: Linus Ullmark Potentially Nixed New Jersey Devils Trade

As time goes on, we learn more and more about who New Jersey Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald inquired about as a potential goaltending upgrade. A recent report suggests the Devils’ GM was after Boston Bruins goaltender, Linus Ullmark, who potentially nixed a trade.

In the middle of the season, it was well documented how Fitzgerald was chasing Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom.

In fact, he not only inquired about the Swedish goaltender, but he nearly acquired him in a Devils trade that was seemingly held up by Calgary ownership.

Fitzgerald later acquired goaltender Jake Allen from the Montreal Canadiens. Upon acquisition, it was revealed that Fitzgerald attempted to facilitate a Devils trade for Allen earlier in the season, however, the now-New Jersey goaltender had them on his no-trade list.

In a report by Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen, it was revealed that the Devils were one of several teams who attempted to acquire Ullmark, further proving Fitzgerald’s desire to imprive his crease presence.

Garrioch writes, “The [Ottawa] Senators, Los Angeles Kings, and New Jersey Devils were among several teams that made a push for the 30-year-old Ullmark before the deadline. The indications are Ullmark refused to change his 15-team no-trade list, which meant a possible deal to the Devils was scuttled.”

As reported via Boston Hockey Now, the Bruins had a trade in place for Ullmark at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. However, the former Vezina Trophy winner exercised his 15-team no-trade rights, nixing the deal and remaining in Boston.

It’s unknown who Bruins GM Don Sweeney came to an agreement with for an Ullmark trade before the Bruins goaltender vetoed the deal. However, Garrioch’s confirmation that the Devils were in the mix certainly leaves the door for possibility open that he vetoed a Devils trade.

Ullmark was asked about his future in Boston and explained he has one more year left on his deal. However, he did also mention that although he has a 15-team no-trade list, those teams on his list could change.

“It all depends. It’s very hard,” said Ullmark. “We don’t have all these luxuries to say, I don’t want to be in certain areas. There might be other things throughout your career. …let’s say, for example, you have one team that would be on the West Coast that is really, really bad, and you have them on your (no-trade) list. …but then all of a sudden, maybe three years later, they’re not. They might be a contender. You just look at Edmonton or whatever.

“Those teams that might have been really bad but now are really good. You might want to waive at that point. But you can’t really think about that in advance. How are these teams going to be in three or four years? You can’t really be looking into your ball and see in the future and say this is where I want to go. It might get to (crap) as well.”

While Jeremy Swayman is expected to see a big pay raise this summer in Boston, indications point to an Ullmark trade in the offseason.