Ullmark is signed for another season, the final one of a four-year, $20 million contract he signed July 28, 2021. Asked about his future, he said, "My future here? I've got one more year. I'm very excited about what's to come. … I'm very motivated. Mixed in with some revenge, obviously, some inspiration as well, but most of all excitement of what's to come."
The Bruins will have a significant amount of space under the NHL salary cap next season that they will likely use to sign Swayman and try to upgrade at the center position. But it remains possible that they could opt to go with Swayman and trade Ullmark, something they reportedly explored before the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline on March 8.
"I have my (no-trade) list and my list is there. We've worked very hard for it," Ullmark said. "There is a reason for why it is there. That's something that the players before me worked really hard to get to the point that we have that luxury. There's a reason why it's there and there's a reason why certain teams are on there and there might be personal things, but that's up to each and every player to have."
The trade rumors this season were challenging for Ullmark, especially given how much he likes the situation he has in Boston.
"That's also one of the things that was new for me this year," he said. "I've never been a part of any trade talks before, so that was a new experience. Was it hard? Yeah, it was hard, because you're very comfortable where you are. You don't want to move when you feel like you're playing well and you have the team, you have the bonds in the teammates.
"For me, it's above my pay grade, really. I don't have the luxury to choose that. If I could, I'm probably going to say the same thing as everybody else. I want to stay and I'm going to stay, but we live in a world where in professional sport, you've got to deal with the hand you've been dealt with.