The Ottawa Senators have launched a fierce and public condemnation of online trolls, labelling them "the lowest forms" for spreading what the club calls "completely fabricated" stories about star goaltender Linus Ullmark.
Club Issues Blistering Statement to End Speculation
In a rare formal move, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Steve Staios released a statement on Thursday aimed squarely at silencing the wave of unfounded rumours. Ullmark has been away from the team for personal reasons since December 28, a situation the organisation says it fully supports.
"Our organization was extremely disappointed to read the completely fabricated and false stories that are spreading around social media about our club," the statement read. It continued, "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."
The Senators expressed disgust that "outside forces are attempting to disrupt our hockey club" and stated the declaration would "put an end to the ridiculous speculation."
Impact on Ice and Olympic Dreams
The 32-year-old Swedish netminder last played for the Senators on December 27 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. His absence has coincided with a significant dip in the team's defensive performance. The Senators currently rank last in the NHL with a combined .872 team save percentage.
In a related sporting blow, it was revealed on Friday that Ullmark was omitted from Sweden's preliminary roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The team has provided no timeline for his return to NHL action.
Roster Move Amid Ongoing Support
Demonstrating the logistical reality of his continued absence, the Senators officially moved Ullmark to a non-roster spot on Thursday. This administrative shift was made to facilitate the return of centre Lars Eller, 36, from a lower-body injury that has sidelined him since December 11.
Despite this move, the club's support for Ullmark remains unwavering. He is in the first year of a four-year, $33 million contract extension signed in October 2024, which carries an $8.25 million annual salary cap hit.
The Senators' forceful public stance highlights the growing challenge professional sports organisations face in combating harmful online narratives while protecting their players' wellbeing during personal matters.
