Linus Ullmark admits he is broken after brutal stretch

The Ottawa Senators’ decision to nominate Linus Ullmark for the NHL’s Masterton Trophy shines a light on more than just perseverance: it reveals the weight of a season that has pushed the veteran goaltender to his limits.

Announced Wednesday morning, Ullmark’s nomination recognizes his dedication, sportsmanship, and resilience. But behind the honor lies a much more complicated reality.

“I am broken, and I’m still not fully, completely healed,” Ullmark admitted, offering a rare and candid glimpse into what he’s been dealing with behind the scenes.

In a league where playing through pain is often expected, Ullmark pointed to the double standard athletes can face. Injuries that aren’t always visible can quickly become misunderstood.

“If we say Thomas Chabot has his injury, no one is going to question that,” Ullmark said. “But just because I’ve been playing… and all of a sudden I’m not available, people just started attacking me.”

Despite the criticism, Ullmark made it clear he’s been doing everything possible to stay on the ice. “I am very much trying my very hardest every single day to be there,” he added, acknowledging that he wasn’t at his best leading up to a recent game against Tampa Bay.

While he expressed gratitude for the nomination, thanking teammates, family, and friends, Ullmark didn’t shy away from calling it “bittersweet.”

“You don’t really want it,” he explained. “Because that means you’ve gone through a lot… hardships that maybe people don’t want you to go through.”

The Masterton nod may celebrate Ullmark’s perseverance, but his words highlight something deeper: the unseen battles players fight, and the pressure to keep going even when their bodies say otherwise.