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Silver linings for the Calgary Flames after slow start to season

By Brett Montrose

Oct 11, 2023; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm (28) celebrates his goal with left wing Andrew Mangiapane (88) during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2023; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm (28) celebrates his goal with left wing Andrew Mangiapane (88) during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Elias Lindholm is playing solid two-way hockey

Lindholm has been the Flames’ best player so far this season. He’s the 1C, a staple on the first power play unit, and as I mentioned above, has been exceptional on the PK as well.

With a pair of goals and four assists through six games, Lindholm has contributed to the scoresheet at a point per game pace as the team’s points leader. He’s been great at the dot as well, winning the majority of his draws with a 57.4 face-off percentage.

Elias Lindholm of the Calgary Flames
COLUMBUS, OHIO – OCTOBER 20: Elias Lindholm #28 of the Calgary Flames reacts to scoring a goal during the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on October 20, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images) /

Considering the problems the whole club is experiencing adjusting to how Ryan Huska wants them to operate in their own zone and the inconsistent personnel on his line, Lindholm has been good defensively, too. He’s a minus-1 and has an on-ice expected goal differential of -0.8, but I’d expect that to turn around as the squad continues to adapt to their new D-zone system and Lindholm’s linemates contribute better defensively.

Whether or not you believe the Flames should extend or trade Lindholm, we should appreciate what he’s doing here and now. Hopefully the power play can start producing at a better rate and Huska can put together a top line that clicks and sticks, allowing Lindholm to increase his positive impact on the Flames’ performance night in and night out. It would be pretty cool to see Lindholm exceed the 82-point mark without Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk on his wings.

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