Talks Quiet Up To This Point Between Flames, Elias Lindholm

Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm has been one of the most common names in the rumor mill this offseason as one of the top unrestricted free agents set to be available on the 2024 market. Speculation has run rampant about whether Lindholm would be willing to sign an extension in Alberta or if he’d follow the path of Tyler Toffoli and potentially Noah Hanifin and find his way out of Calgary before the 2024 trade deadline.

Lindholm cleared some of that up himself over the weekend, telling HockeySverige’s Ronnie Ronnkvist he’s open to staying in Calgary but said he would mostly leave it up to his agent and the team to work out a deal. Those talks haven’t started in earnest yet, however, says Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on today’s edition of 32 Thoughts.

From what I understand, the Flames and Lindholm have really been quiet this summer when it came to contract negotiations. I would expect that to pick up as he returns and things get closer to the season.

It’ll likely take a huge offer to convince the 28-year-old to avoid testing free agency next July. There will be no shortage of suitors with an obvious need down the middle looking to dole out money (and term) to one of the league’s more defensively responsible point-producing pivots.

If the Flames aim to remain competitive over the life of the long-term deals Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri signed last summer, then it’s likely worth paying to keep Lindholm. The team has some solid forward prospects coming, namely Matthew Coronato, Samuel Honzek and Jakob Pelletier, but none project as centers. There’s no feasible option in their pipeline to replace Lindholm anytime soon, meaning they’d be looking to commit money and terms to a different center in free agency anyway to fill his gap.

Lindholm’s defensive acumen is also necessary regarding long-term roster construction for GM Craig Conroy. Mikael Backlund has long been the team’s two-way heart and soul, and not only will he be 35 years old before the 2023-24 season ends, but he’s also only got one year left on his deal and could opt to find a new home next summer. Calgary won’t find anyone else that fits that mold, at least with the ability to produce offensively like Lindholm, on July 1 next year.

Of course, this depends on Lindholm maintaining his willingness to sign an extension in Calgary. A slow start out of the gate will likely be the nail in the coffin for any of Calgary’s big-name pending UFAs, who will look to spend their prime or twilight years on a team closer to Stanley Cup contention. Lindholm, who’s registered 325 points in 369 games as a Flame since 2018, will be a large part of that.