Linus Ullmark finally reveals the real reason he took a leave of absence from the Senators

UPDATE: TSN has released an exclusive interview with Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark, who finally reveals his reasons for taking a leave of absence from his team.

The goaltender reveals that he was experiencing panic attacks earlier this season, the result of unchecked mental health issues that he has been dealing with since being traded to Ottawa from the Boston Bruins.

He said he was, "very scared and it would physically manifest itself in me during games. I was not myself. It was evident and... I called the program (NHLPA Player Assistance Program) and said, 'I'm fucked up and I need help.' We set up a plan and I took the absence of leave."

Ullmark also addressed the rumors regarding him and his wife Moa Wikman and denied the fact that there was ever any issue between them.

On the rumors:

"It sucks because I have a family. I have a wife, I have kids. I get sent text messages like, 'Are you guys good?' and I'm like, 'yeah, why?" then they tell you about the rumors and you're like, 'what the fuck is wrong with you people?' Because people love to just fucking drag you down... they don't care. The general public do not care."

On when he plans on returning to the team:

"I'm not ready yet. This is just a step along the way... I have to figure things out before they become an even worse problem."

The full interview:

Read below for our earlier report on this developing story.

The talk surrounding Ottawa Senators netminder Linus Ullmark lately has been... interesting, to say the least.

A few weeks ago a crazy rumor was going around hockey media that essentially stated that Ullmark's teammates had kicked him off the team for exposing some of his teammates for cheating on their wives.

In particular captain Brady Tkachuk was implicated in the rumors, leading him to make a strong denial to the media. He called the rumor 'made up bullshit' and admonished media members for spreading a false narrative.

The Senators even went so far as to release a statement on the situation through their social media:

So... to catch you up:

Ullmark left the team.
Rumors swirled that Ullmark had been kicked off the team for ratting out his teammates.
Tkachuk called the rumors bullshit.
Senators called the rumors bullshit.

Still, there's no clarity as to what's going on with Ullmark and when he may return to action.

That is, until today.

Senators head coach Travis Green did tell the media last week that Ullmark had started skating on his own and is close to returning to the roster. That was a week ago now though and there's still nothing new on Ullmark's status.

"He's been around the rink. He skated this morning," Green said last Tuesday. "All positives as he's, hopefully, approaching getting back with the team.," Green said.

Today, TSN dropped a teaser for an exclusive interview with Ullmark where he will reportedly air all his dirty laundry and speak out against the rumors concerning him, his family and his teammates.

Here's a teaser:

The full interview will be published to TSN's Youtube page later today. Stay tuned for full coverage.

Ullmark hasn't been at his best this season, which probably played a part in creating the rumors surrounding his personal life, but there's no denying the fact that he has the ability to bounce back and save the Senators' season.

If this team is going to get themselves back into the playoff picture they'll need good goaltending. A healthy, refreshed and motivated Ullmark could go a long way toward delivering them some stability in goal.