Boston: Following the Bruins’ 5-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, Linus Ullmark broke down in tears as he stood in front of his locker.
Not quite as sentimental as he was on Friday, the day the trade deadline passed and he remained a Bruin. Or as moved as he had been thirty minutes earlier when the TD Garden crowd had applauded him for both his outstanding performance in the victory and his decision to stay.
The normally unflappable goaltender was nevertheless brimming. Joyful. Sent relief. Thrilled. and most likely a little worn out.
In the two hours that he had spent telling everyone in attendance that he was still among the world’s best human puck stoppers, Ullmark did something that many sportsmen are unwilling to do: he acknowledged his vulnerability.
For the majority of the previous two weeks, Ullmark unknowingly contributed to the trade deadline rumors in the NHL. One of the few tradeable commodities the Bruins had in excess was elite goaltending, which fueled rumors that the team may trade Ullmark to a team where he could improve. It is said that they tried. There were several rumors circulating that Ullmark blocked a trade by using his 16-team no-trade list. Don Sweeney, general manager of the Boston Bruins, did not dispute them, but he also did not confirm them.
Ullmark skillfully avoided checking the report as well. However, he acknowledged that it had been a difficult few weeks and expressed gratitude for still being a Bruin, as well as the fact that the deadline was over.
“Yes, thank God,” he replied. It’s difficult. You strive to project toughness in advance. You wish to remain silent. It’s best not to display any feelings. The players have it rough. I’ve never had to deal with being the subject of rumors before. Always, I felt secure. However, you start to notice those outside noises when it starts to pick up more and more. It wears you out. There’s a sentimental stage where you begin to think about your family and have a lot of unanswered questions. Yes, then. I’m relieved that it’s finished, and I’m delighted to be here.
He claimed that on Friday, Charlie McAvoy made an effort to get in touch with him
