Senators Place Linus Ullmark on IR Because Ottawa Can't Have Nice Things

The Ottawa Senators have officially placed starting goaltender Linus Ullmark on injured reserve, proving once again that being a Sens fan is just a continuous, involuntary stress test.

Daily Faceoff reported the roster move on Thursday afternoon. For a team that just locked Ullmark into a four-year, $33 million extension to be their undisputed savior in the crease, watching him hit the shelf in late October is the exact opposite of the master plan.

"Daily Faceoff reported the IR move on Thursday afternoon."

Ottawa is coming off a dominant 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers, which is usually the exact moment the hockey gods decide to humble a franchise. Now, the Senators have to navigate the immediate future without the guy they are paying $8.25 million a year to mask their defensive lapses.

Ullmark has dealt with a laundry list of ailments over the last few years, from a lingering back issue in 2024 to whatever lower-body situation is currently keeping him in the trainer's room. At this point, his medical chart reads like a CVS receipt.

If you are holding tickets on Ottawa or setting daily fantasy lineups, this completely flips the board. A starting goalie hitting IR doesn't just change the moneyline; it turns the entire defensive structure into a guessing game for the oddsmakers.

The Senators host the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night before the New York Rangers come to town on Saturday. Ottawa will have to rely on their backup rotation to keep the ship afloat, while the rest of the city holds its breath waiting for a recovery timeline.