On Monday night, the Boston Bruins made their first big move of the offseason. The Bruins dealt former Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators for forward Mark Kastelic, goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, and a 2024 first-round draft pick (25th overall). Ottowa will also retain 25% of Korpisalo's salary.
While rumors of a trade involving Ullmark have been swirling for months, the deal ends a memorable run in Boston for Ullmark. In three years with the Bruins, Ullmark posted an 88-26 record-10 and a .924 save percentage. That includes a stellar 2022-2023 campaign in which he led the league in save percentage and goals against average. Along with Jeremy Swayman the Bruins have arguably had the best goalie tandem in the league.
In return, the Bruins are getting a duo that brings plenty of experience to the table. Kastelic isn't known for his scoring ability but has not been afraid to sacrifice his body. The former fifth-round pick ranked third among Senators forwards in hits last season with 126. His style of play will fit in well on the Bruins' third or fourth line. In 144 games, Kastelic has recorded 25 points.
Joining Kastelic is Korpisalo, who provides the Bruins with an experienced presence to back up Swayman. In 55 games last season, the 30-year-old posted a 21-26-4 record and a .890 save percentage. While he won't be a free agent until after the 2027-2028 season, Korpisalo does have a $ 4 million cap hit and could be a trade candidate.
After a busy start to the week, the Bruins will now get to make a pick in the opening round of the NHL draft for the first time since 2021, when they selected Fabian Lysell with the 21st overall pick. On Friday night, they will pick 25th overall and look to add a future star to the organization.
Over the next few months it will be interesting to see how Kastelic and Korpisalo fir into the picture. Last year Korpisalo was one of the worst goalies in the league and Kastelic doesn’t move the needle offensively. For the Bruins a busy offseason is just begging and Sweeney is far from done.