Prior to the trade deadline, the Boston Bruins were rumoured to be interested in trading forward Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks. In the summer, the impending free agent may travel from Canada to the United States.
According to Eric Beaston, who predicted in a June 18 essay over at Bleacher Report that the Bruins would probably sign Elias Lindholm, that is exactly what will happen.
According to Beaston, “the most intriguing possible suitor would be the Boston Bruins, a team that has loaded rosters but has failed to win the Stanley Cup each of the last two seasons.”
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman further supported this theory on the Jeff Marek Show on June 10, stating that it seemed doubtful the Canucks would be able to re-sign Lindholm, leaving him to become a free agent.
Potential Leave of Absence for Elias Lindholm from Vancouver
While Elias Lindholm’s time with the Vancouver Canucks has been short, he has had a significant impact—albeit unevenly and not at crucial moments.
In a February trade with the Calgary Flames, Lindholm was acquired by the Canucks. Despite Lindholm’s 12 points in 26 Canucks regular-season games, Vancouver’s team lost to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the conference semifinals.
In an interview with The Jeff Marek Show on June 17, Friedman stated that Lindholm’s exit is becoming more likely because of financial limitations and other impending free agents.
Since I’ve been waiting a bit, I’ve been watching Vancouver. As an example, I believe Elias Lindholm is out and that the move makes room for others. We most likely are; but, I won’t say that one is finalised just yet. Friedman stated, “I do believe that there’s a Tyler Myers deal there.”
In free agency, Lindholm might find himself on the outside looking in and up for grabs as the Canucks are also considering other elite forwards.
On June 18, for example, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff wrote that Vancouver might be setting itself up to “make a strong play” and sign winger Jake Guentzel this summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agency.
The Bruins’ Strategy for Signing Lindholm
Elias Lindholm is getting close to free agency, and the Bruins are interested in bringing him in, especially now that he could be involved in a deadline trade, according to NHL insider Chris Johnston’s March 5 report.
With only 17 of their 23 players under contract, CapFriendly forecasts the Bruins to have $21 million in salary space going into the offseason.
Beaston believes the Bruins can still clear some additional cap space before July 1st, so they shouldn’t have any trouble managing their cap and perhaps getting Lindholm.
In relation to goaltenders Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman, “the team has its own decision to make, which would theoretically free up cap space and make pursuing Lindholm easier,” said Beaston.
Lindholm might be the last piece Boston needs to overcome its setbacks and challenge for the Stanley Cup, according to another analysis by Michael DeRosa of The Hockey News.
DeRosa wrote on June 11 that Lindholm would provide the Bruins with the top-six centre they so need. He is a fantastic two-way striker who contributes effectively both offensively and defensively when he is at his best. Lindholm would be the best centre on the Bruins roster the moment he signed a contract.
Even though Lindholm’s average ice time with the Canucks was the lowest it has been since his 2017–18 season with Carolina, his season-long point total was the greatest of his career.
In 2018, Lindholm signed with the Flames to a contract worth $29.1 million spread over six years. According to Evolving-Hockey, Lindholm is expected to agree to a four-year contract with a $8.7 million cap hit per year.
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