In a bold move, the Boston Bruins have locked in centre Elias Lindholm with a lucrative seven-year, $54.25 million contract, envisioning the 29-year-old forward as the linchpin of the team’s top line for years to come. Hailing from Sweden, Lindholm has solidified his reputation as one of the NHL’s top two-way forwards, consistently tallying over 50 points in four out of his 11 seasons and even earning a second-place finish for the Selke Trophy in the 2021-22 season. General Manager Don Sweeney’s long-standing interest in Lindholm finally paid off when the talented player hit free agency.
Fellow player Nikita Zadorov, who has shared the ice with Lindholm in both Calgary and Vancouver, is eagerly anticipating a spike in Lindholm’s performance. Having witnessed firsthand Lindholm’s ability to shine on the top line, Zadorov is confident that Lindholm will thrive with the Bruins despite facing challenges after being traded to the Canucks in January.
Lindholm’s prowess as a playmaker is undeniable, as evidenced by his impressive performance with the Flames, where he dished out over 30 assists in four seasons, including a notable 51 assists in 2018-19. Paired with David Pastrnak, both in 5v5 scenarios and on the power play, Lindholm is poised to generate more scoring opportunities and secure better positioning on the ice. This strategic signing in free agency cements a formidable offensive duo with Pastrnak, promising sustained success as two of the NHL’s premier offensive threats.
Beyond his offensive capabilities, Lindholm’s presence is expected to catalyze a positive domino effect throughout Boston’s forward lineup, which boasts standout performers like Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, Morgan Geekie, and Matthew Poitras, all of whom exceeded expectations in the previous season and prove crucial to the team’s success.
Don Sweeney has wasted no time in anointing Lindholm as the cornerstone of the Bruins’ top line, slotting him in as the centre alongside Pastrnak for the upcoming 2024-25 season. While Lindholm faces the daunting task of replicating his stellar 42-goal, 82-point campaign with Calgary in 2021-22, where he skated alongside stars Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau, his prominent role alongside Pastrnak is expected to reinvigorate him, enabling him to return to his status as a reliable 60-point contributor in his new Boston environment.