> At a Glance
> – Linus Ullmark stepped away from the Ottawa Senators in late December for personal reasons
> – GM Steve Staios blasted social media rumors as “completely fabricated and false”
> – Why it matters: The team is rallying around their star goalie amid online speculation
The Ottawa Senators are pushing back hard against internet gossip surrounding Linus Ullmark‘s absence from the lineup.
The Organization’s Response
On January 8, Steve Staios issued a fiery statement defending his goaltender and the organization.
> “Our organization was extremely disappointed to read the completely fabricated and false stories that are spreading around social media about our hockey club,” Staios said.
> “Linus is away from our team for personal reasons and he has the entire organization’s support.”
The GM didn’t mince words about those spreading rumors:
> “We asked that people respect his privacy, but clearly that request was not heard by the lowest forms of trolls and sick people who scour the internet.”
Timeline of Events
- December 2024: Ullmark last played against Toronto, allowing four goals
- Late December: The 32-year-old Swedish goalie took personal leave
- January 8, 2026: Senators released statement denouncing online speculation
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last game vs. Toronto | December 2024 |
| Personal leave begins | Late December 2024 |
| Team statement released | January 8, 2026 |
Ullmark’s Background
The veteran netminder has had an impressive career trajectory:
- Drafted in the 6th round of the 2012 NHL draft by Buffalo Sabres
- Made his NHL debut in 2015
- Traded to Boston Bruins where he led the league in wins during the 2022-23 season
- Acquired by Ottawa Senators in 2024
Off the ice, Ullmark married Moa Wikman in 2017. They have two children: Harry, 7, and Lily, 5.
Just days before his leave, the family shared holiday cheer on Instagram with a Christmas message featuring their kids and a special visitor they dubbed “Zanta.”
Key Takeaways
- The Senators are standing firmly behind Ullmark during his personal time away
- Management is taking an aggressive stance against online misinformation
- Ullmark’s absence is purely for personal reasons, not performance-related
- The team expects this statement to end speculation about their goaltender
The organization hopes their forceful response will allow Ullmark to handle his personal matters privately while maintaining team focus.
