Linus Ullmark Reunites with Mentor as Senators Seek Stability in Net
There was a new presence at Ottawa Senators practice on Tuesday, and for those paying close attention, it wasn’t just another set of eyes in the building-it was a familiar one. Sitting quietly in section 105, notebook in hand, was Maciej Szwoch, the longtime mentor and former goaltending coach of Linus Ullmark from their days together in Sweden.
Szwoch’s visit comes at a pivotal moment for both Ullmark and the Senators. Just nine days earlier, Ullmark had returned from a personal leave of absence, one he later revealed was rooted in mental health. In a candid interview, Ullmark didn’t just acknowledge the challenges he’s faced-he also pointed to Szwoch as a grounding force in his life.
“Having him here and helping me put a perspective on things is important,” Ullmark said. “We went on the ice, and usually you start moving around, playing the puck, or going to the net. But he went to the middle of the rink, sat me down, and just looked me in the eyes and said, ‘I'm proud of you.’”
It wasn’t just a pep talk. It was a moment that clearly hit home for Ullmark, who described the emotional weight of hearing those words from someone who’s known him since the early days of his career. “I’m so goddamn proud of you for who you are, and the person that you’ve become,” Szwoch told him.
For Ullmark, it’s more than just support-it’s a reconnection to someone who understands both the technical and emotional side of goaltending. And for the Senators, it’s a calculated move to help their No. 1 netminder find his footing again in what’s been a turbulent season.
Head coach Travis Green confirmed that Szwoch is now working with the team in some capacity, primarily through goaltending coach Justin Peters. “He’s a mentor and a friend in town to help [Ullmark] out,” Green said. “Help him through some hard times, and from what I understand, it’s been productive.”
As for how the arrangement came to be, Green credited general manager Steve Staios. “Steve told me they were going to do it.
I think it’s a great idea. Whenever someone is going through something, you want to support them in any way you can.”
And right now, the Senators need all the help they can get in the crease.
Ottawa currently ranks dead last in the NHL in all-situations save percentage at .866-a number that, if it holds, would go down as the worst in the league over the last three decades. That stat alone paints a pretty stark picture, but when you zoom in on Ullmark’s individual performance, the concerns become even more pronounced.
Now in his second season with the Senators-and the first of a four-year, $33 million contract-Ullmark has struggled to find consistency. Through 28 appearances, he owns a 14-8-5 record with a 2.95 goals-against average, an .881 save percentage, and one shutout. Those numbers are well below the standard he set earlier in his career.
Digging deeper, the advanced metrics tell a similar story. According to Evolving-Hockey’s goals saved above expected (GSAx) model, Ullmark ranks third-worst in the league at -9.14 GSAx.
Only Leevi Merilainen (-14.22) and Jordan Binnington (-16.90) have fared worse in that department. Simply put, Ullmark is allowing more goals than an average goalie would be expected to stop given the quality of shots he’s facing.
What makes this even more frustrating for Ottawa is that their five-on-five play has been solid. The skaters are doing their part to control possession and limit high-danger chances.
But without reliable goaltending, those efforts are being washed away. Even league-average netminding would have made a significant difference-potentially enough to keep the Senators in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race.
To their credit, the Senators aren’t standing still. Beyond bringing in Szwoch to work with Ullmark, they’ve also reassigned penalty kill responsibilities to assistant coach Mike Yeo-another move aimed at addressing a key weakness. These are the kinds of adjustments that suggest the organization still believes there’s something worth salvaging this season.
Whether it’s too late remains to be seen. But for Ullmark, having a trusted voice like Szwoch in his corner might be the first step toward turning things around-not just statistically, but personally. And if he can find his form again, the ripple effect could be felt far beyond the blue paint.