Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark taking personal leave

Linus Ullmark has been granted a leave of absence.

The Ottawa Senators announced Sunday that the club’s top goaltender will be away from the club for an indefinite period of time.

Ullmark wasn’t on the ice with the rest of his teammates for a noon skate at the Canadian Tire Centre, and Steve Staios, the club’s president of hockey operations and general manager, confirmed after the skate that Ullmark will be away from the club.

There is no timetable for Ullmark’s return.

“Linus has the full support of our organization during this time,” said Staios. “Out of respect to Linus, we will not be making any further comments.”

The club said in its short statement that Ullmark is “taking a leave of absence from the team for personal reasons.” Staios made only a brief appearance at practice on Sunday and was seen heading through the stands to his office.

The announcement came less than 24 hours after Ullmark was pulled after allowing four goals on 14 shots in a 7-5 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night in the club’s first game back after the National Hockey League’s holiday break.

Clearly, his mind wasn’t in the game. This has been a difficult season for Ullmark. He has started 28 of the club’s 37 games, and has posted a 2.95 goals-against average and an .881 save percentage.

He’s in his second season with the Senators after being dealt to Ottawa before the start of the 2024-25 campaign. The news also comes only three days before countries that are headed to the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy have to announce their final rosters.

His absence means that backup Leevi Merilainen will have to carry the load for the foreseeable future. In 10 appearances this season, he is ranked No. 56 among goalies in the NHL with a 4-6-0 record, a 3.43 GAA and a .874 save percentage.

— More later

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