NHL Trade Talk: Capitals Should Keep Eye On Elias Lindholm Situation

The 28-year-old's next contract and negotiations with the Flames could mean something for the Capitals.

The Washington Capitals still have work to do when it comes to revamping the top-6 and deciding on Evgeny Kuznetsov's future, and one situation they should start to turn their attention to involves the Calgary Flames and Elias Lindholm.

Lindholm is coming off another strong season that saw him put up 22 goals and 42 assists for 64 points in 80 games. In 2021-22, he had 42 goals and 40 assists for 82 points while busting out onto the scene and showing that he can drive play on the Flames' top-6.

Despite his success, Lindholm remained non-committal about his future in Calgary following the team's lackluster finish to 2022-23, and with him set to become an unrestricted free agent next July, there is the possibility that those negotiations could pave the way for a trade.

The Boston Bruins are reportedly one of those teams keeping an eye on the Lindholm situation, and the Capitals should also be on that list.

Looking at Lindholm, he's a desirable trade target for clubs needing a reliable top-6 center. He's 28 years old and a proven leader who has shown that he is currently playing in his prime. He can make plays, score big goals and play well in his own end, too. The Swede can also play shorthanded, and he wins battles and is strong in the face-off dot to boot. And though his numbers dropped from 2021-22 to last season, his consistency was still very much there.

Plus, D.C. could appeal to Lindholm, and there are quite a few connections he has to the District. Former Flames assistant Kirk Muller and Mitch Love, who most recently served as Calgary's AHL-affiliate Wranglers' bench boss,  are now on Spencer Carbery's staff. Add in the Swedish connection, and Lindholm may find Washington to be a desirable potential landing spot.

But back to reality; a Lindholm trade wouldn't be an easy one to pull off. Again, the price will be high, and though the Capitals have Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha as trade chips, they may not be enough to pull off that kind of trade, especially with both of them currently carrying a higher cap hit than the 6-foot-1, 201-pound pivot.

And then, of course, there's a lot to consider for the future; his next contract will pay quite a bit, and the Capitals are on track to rebuild after the Alex Ovechkin era comes to an end. Given Lindholm's refusal to commit to a struggling Flames team, it's hard to imagine he wants to stick around for a retool. Unless it's a rental situation, it's unlikely that Lindholm could sign long-term if there's a Stanley Cup favorite who's willing to pay him the money he wants.

Regardless of whether or not Lindholm fits what Washington is trading for, he's still important to keep an eye on. If teams end up going for Lindholm, the ones that lose out on his services could turn to other teams for a top-6 center, which would shift the spotlight back on Kuznetsov and perhaps lead to a rise in his value, especially if he sticks around in D.C. and starts to rekindle his joy for the game to start the season under Carbery.

It could also churn up more talks and allow for more targets and players to emerge onto the market, giving the Capitals several options.

In the end, it seems that time is the biggest asset Washington has right now, and the current plan for general manager Brian MacLellan when it comes to making more changes is to wait and see what comes. That "wait and see" mentality should also apply to what's going on in Alberta.