Calgary Flames Extend Or Sell: Elias Lindholm
By Nathan Smith
The Calgary Flames have made some good and some bad trades in recent years, but arguably one of their best was when they acquired Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Dougie Hamilton, Michael Ferland and then college prospect Adam Fox. Since that point, Lindholm has been a consistent presence for this team, anchoring arguably the best line in hockey during the 2021-22 season alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk, and now, the team have a decision to make on Elias after losing his line mates last off-season.
In his five years with the Flames, Lindholm has played in 369 games, putting up 139 goals and 186 assists for 325 points, and while centre depth is something Calgary need to improve going forward, the idea of moving on from a genuine 1C in Lindholm has come up a lot recently in Flames circles.
Reportedly, both sides are open to the idea of a long-term extension this off-season, as he has found a home in Calgary despite the team’s overall struggles a season ago, and with the team locked in to Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau on long-term deals, this is the most important move to the future of the organization.
Ultimately, Lindholm has been a fantastic player for the Calgary Flames, and if this new regime believe he can be a key piece of a Stanley Cup run, an extension makes sense, but with GM Craig Conroy’s comments about getting younger, a rumoured deal for the No. 3 overall pick with Columbus would make complete sense. Right now, if the Flames genuinely get the opportunity to target a 1C of the future in Leo Carlsson or William Smith, it may be time to move on and sell high on a player who’s value may never be higher.
Verdict: If you can land the No. 3 overall pick from Columbus or a young name such as William Nylander from Toronto, selling high on Lindholm is the move, but if not, moving other pieces for a top winger to pair with Huberdeau and Elias is the play for Calgary.