Linus Ullmark was on the Bruins' bench Monday night. Then he left. Ten or so minutes passed, and he didn't return. Play-by-play man Jack Edwards noted the development on NESN's broadcast, as did several reporters. Bruins fans on social media began to freak out.
Had Ullmark been traded mid-game? Had general manager Don Sweeney really pulled the trigger on the kind of shakeup most had believed was a long shot?
Nope. Nothing like that. Ullmark had just felt too cramped and in the way on his little stool at the end of the bench. So, he went back to the locker room to watch the game from there instead.
There are several arenas around the NHL where the visitors' bench is just too small for the backup goalie to fit comfortably. Toronto's Scotiabank Arena lands on the fence. Some goalies squeeze in and stay with their teammates. Others, like Ullmark, opt for more space and watch elsewhere.
Normally, the whereabouts of the backup goalie would hardly be a story. Ullmark himself didn't think anything of it, and told The Athletic's Fluto Shinzawa that he was completely oblivious to the social media frenzy until Travis Basciotta, the team's director of communications and content, told him about it.
"He made me realize that something was brewing on social media," Ullmark said. "I had no idea. I got sent a couple ones now. Yeah, it's hilarious."
It did all end up being quite funny in the end. Edwards eventually notified NESN viewers of Ullmark's new location, while Eric Russo, the Bruins' senior manager of digital content, did the same on social media (even if some Toronto fans oddly didn't believe him).
The Bruins' official X/Twitter account joked about it after a much-needed 4-1 win, as did Ullmark himself.
The initial panic, however brief, was understandable, though. Friday's 3 p.m. trade deadline is coming up fast, and everyone is a little bit on edge.
Ullmark's name has popped up in several rumors and reports. If the Bruins are going to add anyone with salary, they're going to need to trade someone off the active roster to make room. Despite slumping a bit since the All-Star break, Ullmark holds value. If the Bruins are ready to hand the keys to Jeremy Swayman, who was excellent on Monday and would be the Game 1 starter if the playoffs started today, trading Ullmark could land them an impact forward or defenseman, or the assets that could help them get one.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Monday that the Bruins and Swayman "have begun discussing an extension," while also again noting that there's some chatter around Ullmark. The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported that the New Jersey Devils, in desperate need of a goalie, "have looked at Ullmark as a possible option if they can't swing a deal with Calgary" for Jacob Markstrom.
Maybe Ullmark will end up being moved before Friday's deadline. On Monday night, though, his only move was to a less cramped seat.
