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New details emerge on Linus Ullmark being snubbed from Team Sweden

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Austin Sabourin
January 4, 2026 (2:29 PM)

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Friday, Sweden dropped its Milano Cortina goalie trio, and Ullmark was not on it. The list went with Filip Gustavsson, Jacob Markstrom, and Jesper Wallstedt, and NHL.com even noted Ullmark was off the group from the 4 Nations event.

That omission landed like a gut punch because Ullmark is not some fringe name. He's 32, a 2012 sixth-round pick by Buffalo, and he's lived the «earn everything» path all the way to the top.

Then Sunday brought the harder news, Ottawa granted Ullmark a personal leave of absence, with the club offering full support and little else. It's natural that fans connected that leave to the Sweden decision.

But the new detail matters, and it changes the conversation. Sweden coach Sam Hallam said the goalie decision was made before he even heard about Ullmark stepping away, calling it «very sad» and hoping he feels well soon.

Linus Ullmark and Team Sweden Olympic call

If you're a Sens fan, this feels like the week hockey stops being fun, because you can't «debate» personal stuff away.

Hallam's quote got out through Bruce Garrioch, and it underlines a brutal truth, this was a hockey call first, and the leave came later.

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On the ice, Ullmark's season line is rough by his standards, a 14-8-5 record with a .881 save percentage and 2.95 goals-against average. Those numbers match across ESPN and Global's reporting around the leave.

That's the cold math Sweden likely leaned on while Wallstedt has surged, and while Gustavsson and Markstrom bring a cleaner recent track. It doesn't make the situation any less heartbreaking, it just explains the timing.

For Ottawa, the only milestone that matters now is Ullmark feeling ready to come back on his terms, not an Olympic argument. When he does, the crease and the room should look steadier again.

Previously on Boston Hockey Insider

Recent injury news may open a roster spot for Boston Bruins forward Morgan Geekie

Rumor: Boston Bruins acquire a top-six forward from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a huge trade

A recent acquisition by Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney played hero in a big game

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17 HOURS AGO \| 56 ANSWERS New details emerge on Linus Ullmark being snubbed from Team Sweden Did Team Sweden make the right call leaving Linus Ullmark off the Olympic roster?
▢ Right call
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▢ Support Linus

New details emerge on Linus Ullmark being snubbed from Team Sweden

Friday, Sweden dropped its Milano Cortina goalie trio, and Ullmark was not on it. The list went with Filip Gustavsson, Jacob Markstrom, and Jesper Wallstedt, and NHL.com even noted Ullmark was off the group from the 4 Nations event.

Linus Ullmark and Team Sweden Olympic call

Did Team Sweden make the right call leaving Linus Ullmark off the Olympic roster?