Buffalo Sabres Linus Ullmark’s First North American Season Going Well
Buffalo Sabres prospect Linus Ullmark is enjoying a reasonable amount of success in his first-ever season playing hockey in North America.
Prior to this season, Ullmark had spent years playing in his native Sweden, including the past two seasons with MODO Hockey Ornskoldsvik.
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At just 21 years old, last season Ullmark played in the premier hockey league in Sweden, on a team whose average age was 24.05.
Though he played with many younger players – some as young as 16! – he also played with veterans including former NHLer Donald Brashear, 42.
Ullmark played in 35 games in last season with MODO, accruing a 3.12 GAA and .904 save percentage.
Playing at such a high level of hockey abroad helped shape Ullmark’s game and made him more physically ready to play a higher-level of hockey in North America.
Ullmark made his North American debut in the AHL with the Rochester Americans on October 10, 2015. He stopped 38 of 39 shots faced and helped the Amerks to a 2-1 win over Utica.
Just two weeks later, having only three AHL games under his belt, Ullmark was making his NHL debut.
It was all about giving the coveted Buffalo Sabres prospect a shot in the NHL, a chance for the Sabres to see what he could do. Why not?
The Buffalo Sabres lost that game 4-3, but Ullmark would go on to win four of his next five games with the NHL club.
He proved to be a worthy competitor at the NHL level, and the Buffalo Sabres decided to keep him around.
In the wake of Robin Lehner‘s injury, they needed another goalie to work with Chad Johnson. And sure, they could’ve send Ullmark back and brought up Andrey Makarov or Nathan Lieuwen.
They could’ve even considered signing a free-agent netminder.
But instead, they kept Ullmark up, and he earned that spot.
Now, he returns to the American Hockey League, at least for the time being, but it should be safe to say that Ullmark made a good impression in his first NHL recall.
Through 19 games with Ullmark in, the Buffalo Sabres went 7-10-2.
Ullmark faced an average of 28.47 shots per game (541 overall) and allowed 46 goals against, making 495 saves.
Though, like any goaltender, he seemed to struggle at times, overall, I’d say Ullmark’s first NHL recall was a solid one – and now, he’ll return to the AHL as one of three goaltenders with the Amerks.
It’s expected that he’ll play his fourth AHL game Friday night, starting in goal for the Amerks as they host the Binghamton Senators.
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So at least for now, Ullmark will continue to develop his game in the AHL — but I wouldn’t doubt that if duty calls, he’ll be back up with the Buffalo Sabres before you know it.