Linus Ullmark Opens Up About Mental Health Battle Amid Tough Season in Ottawa
For Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark, the past few weeks have been about more than just hockey. In a candid interview, Ullmark revealed that the reason behind his recent leave of absence was rooted in mental health struggles that had been building for some time.
“The real reason is mental health,” Ullmark said. “There’s been a lot going on for a long time. I would say dating back to ever since the trade.”
It’s a rare moment of transparency in a sport that often prizes stoicism over vulnerability. Ullmark, who hasn’t played since December 27, spoke openly about how the pressure and personal challenges he’s faced since arriving in Ottawa have taken a toll. While he acknowledged that not everything has been negative - there have been bright spots - he also admitted that many of the emotional burdens he’s carried hadn’t been properly addressed.
The tipping point came during that December 27 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ullmark allowed four goals on 14 shots - a rough outing by any standard. But what happened after the final buzzer was even more telling.
“I said, ‘Hey. I’m f----d up.
I need help,’” Ullmark recalled. That moment led him to reach out to the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
Working alongside the program and the Senators organization, Ullmark took a formal leave of absence to prioritize his mental health.
The Senators issued a statement on January 8, aiming to shut down the swirl of online rumors and speculation about Ullmark’s absence. The team made it clear they were standing behind their goalie - a message that matters in a league where mental health is still fighting for space in the conversation.
This isn’t just any goaltender we’re talking about, either. Ullmark was the Vezina Trophy winner in 2023, recognized as the NHL’s top goaltender after a stellar season with the Boston Bruins. He was traded to Ottawa in 2024, and while the move brought expectations, it also came with emotional weight.
Last season, Ullmark played a key role in helping the Senators end a seven-year playoff drought - a milestone moment for a franchise trying to turn the corner. But this year has been a different story. In 28 appearances so far this season, Ullmark has posted an .881 save percentage - a sharp dip from the elite numbers he put up in Boston.
That stat line doesn’t tell the full story, though. Behind the numbers is a player who’s been pushing through internal battles while trying to meet external expectations. And for Ullmark to step forward and speak so openly about what he’s been dealing with - that’s not just brave, it’s important.
Hockey players are often celebrated for their toughness, but Ullmark’s honesty reminds us that toughness can look like asking for help, too. And while the Senators will be eager to have their netminder back on the ice when he’s ready, the bigger picture here is about a player taking care of himself - and a league slowly learning to support that.