The Vancouver Canucks still sit near the top of NHL and have cap space to re-sign Elias Lindholm, but could the center price himself out with his next contract this off-season?
Elias LindholmThe acquisition of Elias Lindholm by the Vancouver Canucks was one of the biggest moves in the weeks leading up to the March 8 NHL trade deadline. With the Canucks jockeying for first place in the overall standings, adding the 29-year-old two-way center signalled their intent to pursue the Stanley Cup this season.
Lindholm's tenure with the Canucks, however, could be short-lived. He's slated to become a UFA on July 1 and is seeing third-line duty in Vancouver with just seven points in 20 games.
A report emerged leading up to the trade deadline suggesting the Canucks could ship Lindholm to the Boston Bruins. It was part of a rumored three-way swap that would've seen the Pittsburgh Penguins ship Jake Guentzel to Vancouver. That deal never materialized, but it did raise questions about Lindholm's future with the Canucks.
In an interview with The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun, Canucks GM Patrik Allvin indicated he spoke with Lindholm's camp regarding a contract extension.
“Obviously, it's got to work for both sides. We'll see,” said Allvin, adding that those discussions will likely occur following the season.
PuckPedia indicates the Canucks have $25.7 million in cap space for 2024-25 with 14 active roster players under contract. They must also re-sign restricted free agent defenseman Filip Hronek, who also has arbitration rights. He carries a $4.4 million cap hit this season and Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman speculated the “sweet spot” for re-signing him is $7.5 million.
Lindholm is completing a six-year deal with an average annual value of $4.85 million. While his offensive stats are down from his career high of 82 points in 2021-22, he remains a solid two-way center. He could seek a seven-year deal worth around $8 million annually, which could price him out of Vancouver.
If the Canucks fail to re-sign Lindholm, he won't lack for suitors in the free-agent market. One of them could be the Bruins, as rumors linked them to Lindholm before his trade to Vancouver.