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The Calgary Flames and Craig Conroy proceed to attend as Elias Lindholm and others mull over an enormous choice forward of them. Does arguably essentially the most priceless participant on the Flames come to an settlement with the staff on a long-term deal that has been mentioned, or does he elect to play some place else after his contract is over? The Flames have been left in limbo and Lindholm’s choice is probably holding up the remainder of the contracts discussions as nicely, not solely as a result of Conroy desires to see what he will probably be working with, however as a result of Lindholm’s choice would possibly sway the others.
Teams have undoubtedly proven curiosity in Lindholm, as one would when a prime participant making $4.85 million common annual worth (AAV) on the ultimate yr of his contract isn’t positive about re-signing, however clearly, nothing has come of it but. The Boston Bruins are actually a staff to observe very carefully, who will present extra curiosity in Lindholm as they misplaced their captain, Patrice Bergeron, after he introduced his retirement. For a few years Bergeron has been a staple on the highest line, enjoying unbelievable two-way hockey. Not solely does his retirement open up cap house to work with and tackle the outlet, however Lindholm’s low-cost contract additionally holds the perfect worth the Bruins will get at this level in the offseason.
Why Flames Should Cut Ties With Lindholm at This Point
The longer Lindholm takes to determine whether or not he desires to stick with the Flames long-term or transfer on when his contract is up, the worse it looks for the Flames. Typically if a contract doesn’t get executed in the offseason, gamers would reasonably concentrate on the season and keep away from distractions of negotiations. If it will get to that time and the Flames aren’t that good, as soon as once more, that isn’t a sexy promoting level to Lindholm. The commerce deadline is an choice to maneuver him, but when the Flames are in the identical place as they had been in 2022-23 and hanging across the playoff bubble, buying and selling him would really feel like giving up on the season.
If Lindholm sticks with the Flames all season they usually don’t go very far, the Flames can say goodbye to Lindholm for little to nothing. Even in the event that they make a splash this season and bounce again, there’s no assure he desires to spend seven to eight extra years in Calgary for a number of causes like places, rivals, and many others. The Flames have seemingly missed their Stanley Cup window, throughout a time the staff had many proficient gamers on nice contracts. Do they actually need to add one other soon-to-be 29-year-old on a contract that spans deep into his late 30s?
Related: Flames Have Few Options to Alter Roster This Offseason
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Why the Flames ought to minimize ties with Lindholm now whereas there is an ideal alternative with Boston is as a result of one other likelihood like this won’t come round, they usually would possibly as nicely get forward of the retool reasonably than being strung alongside and lacking out on property. Lindholm grew and have become a primary heart in between Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk earlier than dropping each final offseason. Then he received a brand new winger in Tyler Toffoli, who was traded this summer time. While seeing his nice linemates transfer on to raised conditions, he might very nicely need to expertise that himself, as he’s by no means received an opportunity to check free company.
Bruins Perfect Landing Spot for Lindholm
The Bruins appear to be the right touchdown spot for Lindholm for at the very least this season, and the best way they continue to be aggressive and have some expert gamers locked in, he may very well be satisfied to remain longer. With Bergeron’s retirement, the Bruins at the moment have Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle penciled into the highest two heart positions. To stay a prime staff, they may want an improve, as Coyle works higher as a third-line heart.
Losing a two-way heart like Bergeron will probably be a large hit for the Bruins and might solely be mended with one other superb two-way heart in Lindholm. While Bergeron gained the Selke Trophy in 2021-22, Lindholm was the runner-up. The Bruins have a cap downside this season as wage cap overages from final season (Bergeron & David Krejci contracts) are hurting them now. This was the value they paid to assemble the staff they did final season and pushed the issue till now. Taylor Hall was already dealt, no commerce deadline pickups may very well be stored round, and there is likely to be extra strikes coming.
Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun famous that though the Boston Bruins have proven curiosity in Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele as a possible commerce choice, Lindholm is nonetheless their primary selection, saying, “while moving on from Scheifele, who was attached at the hip with Wheeler for much of their time together in Winnipeg, still seems likely, it may have to wait as well. It’s possible Boston could enter the picture at some point. They likely have their eyes focused on what Elias Lindholm decides in Calgary first.” (from “Where do the Winnipeg Jets stand at midsummer?”, Winnipeg Sun, July 22, 2023). Lindholm has a decrease cap hit, which the Bruins desperately want, and has the two-way means Scheifele doesn’t possess.
The Bruins have $5.4 million in cap house to signal Jeremy Swayman, Trent Frederic, and add a middle. This means there is a possibility to maneuver Frederic to the Flames in a deal for Lindholm. That worth is in all probability what it is going to take as the Flames aren’t searching for any future draft picks, whereas the Bruins don’t have their 2024 first, second, or third-round picks in any case. I might think about both Matt Grzelcyk or Derek Forbort additionally should go (perhaps not again to Calgary) if Lindholm is introduced in.
While the Bruins are probably able to strike a deal after the information of Bergeron, the Flames should get forward of subsequent offseason and make extra severe choices.
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