Ullmark relieved deadline passed: 'It takes a toll on you'

Linus Ullmark was well aware of rumors suggesting he was on the trade block over the past few weeks, and now that the deadline's passed, he's thrilled to still be a Boston Bruin.

"Oh, thank God, yes," Ullmark said following Saturday's win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, per The Athletic's Fluto Shinzawa. "It's tough. You try to act tough beforehand. You don't want to show anything. You don't want to show any emotion. It's kind of like in the playoff situation as well. But it is tough on players. This is the first time when I had to go through and actually being rumored about.

"I've always felt safe. But then once it actually starts picking up more and more and more, you hear those outside noises, it takes a toll on you. There's this emotional part of it. Then you start thinking about your family. Then there's all these questions that you just don't have any answers to. So yes, I'm very happy that it's over with. I'm very glad and happy to be here."

Reports surfaced Friday that the Bruins had a trade in place to send Ullmark to the Los Angeles Kings, but the reigning Vezina Trophy winner nixed the move. After the deadline passed, Boston general manager Don Sweeney said he wasn't aggressively shopping Ullmark.

Ullmark has posted inferior numbers to partner Jeremy Swayman this season and was considered possibly expendable with only one year left on his contract.

"This is the team that I want to be in," Ullmark said. "I'm very fortunate to be part of this group. Ever since Day 1, I've loved it here. I'm very happy with where I am right now."

Ullmark entered Saturday with a .909 save percentage in 32 appearances and made 38 saves on 39 shots to lead Boston over Pittsburgh.

"He was our best player. Wasn't close," head coach Jim Montgomery said. "He was really good. Glad he's still a Bruin."

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