Age: 22
Contract: A 2012 sixth-round draft pick, Ullmark inked a 3-year, entry-level contract in May 2014.
Introduction: Ullmark was not supposed to be the high flyer that he turned out to be this year for Buffalo. He was supposed to spend a quiet season in Rochester, developing his game and growing into the next elite Buffalo goaltender. Robin Lehner’s glass ankles had other plans.
Key Stat: 8-10-2 record with 2.60GAA and a .913SV% in 20 appearances in Buffalo.
Thumbs Up: Ullmark wasted no time in demonstrating that he was up to the task of playing in the NHL. Said Coach Dan Bylsma, Ullmark showed “he can be a big time goalie and make big saves for us at the NHL level.” Showed he can be quick and acrobatic in net, but sometimes because he pushed himself out of position. A .913 save percentage puts him squarely in the middle of the league’s backups, not bad for a rookie goalie.
Thumbs Down: Ullmark hopefully has nowhere to go but up, as long as the team in front of him continues to progress. Ullmark put up mixed numbers in his last season with the Swedish Elite League and had a 10-16-0-0 record in 28 games with Rochester. The Rochester numbers may be more of a testament to the team in front of him, much like his Buffalo numbers, than his actual capabilities or potential for performance. Still, Ullmark’s positioning and technique need to become more refined in order for him to take the next step.
Memorable Moment: Pushing the Sabres past that 80-point mark in April against the New York Islanders, in a 21-save performance. Or this save with his Minion face against Florida.
Voting: Using the good old grade school system of A, B, C, D, F, with A representing a great season (for the Sabres) C an average season, and F a very poor season, grade Linus Ullmark on his performance this year.
Grade Linus Ullmark on his 2015-16 season.
| A | 57 |
| B | 323 |
| C | 112 |
| D | 7 |
| F | 3 |