G Linus Ullmark
Linus Ullmark was the Bruins’ most expensive acquisition this summer, so naturally, many fans will watch him closely this season. Fellow goaltender Tuukka Rask has expressed interest in returning to the Bruins, but with him out until at least January, Ullmark is going to be the starter. Even if Rask returns later in the season, it will be Ullmark’s net for at least the start of the year. This is why they signed him for four years in the first place.
On a historically bad Buffalo Sabres team last season, Ullmark put up very solid statistics. In 20 games, he had a 9-6-3 record to go along with a 2.63 GAA and .917 SV%. During the season before, he posted a .915 SV% and 17-14-3 record. With the Bruins having a much stronger defensive group than Buffalo, it will interesting to see if his numbers improve behind it. Buffalo did not have a Charlie McAvoy or Brandon Carlo-type on their backend.
For the time being, Ullmark is the first starting goalie the Bruins have had besides Rask in a very long time. Although people are quick to criticize the latter’s tenure here, he’s been a great goalie and was a huge reason for their success over this last decade. Therefore, Ullmark has big shoes to fill. However, he’s not the only goaltender on this list who carries this task.