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Anaheim Ducks D Hampus Lindholm Seeking Multi-Year Deal

By Tanner Rebelo

April 17, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm (47) moves the puck against Nashville Predators during the first period in game two of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 17, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm (47) moves the puck against Nashville Predators during the first period in game two of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Anaheim Ducks D Hampus Lindholm Remains Unsigned. He’s Seeking a Multi-Year Deal, but Recent Reports Suggest the Two Sides Are Still Far Apart in Negotiations

Information is starting to spread around the hockey community regarding prized Anaheim Ducks D Hampus Lindholm as the two sides are at in impasse contractually.

Fresh off an appearance with Team Sweden at the World Cup, Lindholm is still an unsigned restricted free agent (RFA). He is also is reportedly seeking “more than $6 million dollars per season over eight years,” according to the O.C. Register.

22-year-old Hampus Lindholm is in Sweden training with SHL club Rogle BK, the team he played for prior to being selected sixth overall in 2012. This move is interesting as he is holding out of Ducks camp while still keeping in shape, which is the smart move for him to do.  Lindholm is coming off his three-year entry-level deal, one that carried a cap hit of $894,166.

Ducks Strapped For Cash

The Ducks are in a bit of a financial squeeze and need to sort out another RFA, which is versatile forward Rickard Rakell. It might help explain why negotiations with Lindholm have been drawn out.

That said, they’re not going to want to drag feet much longer as they cannot afford to lose Lindholm and desperately need him to be in their lineup for the opening of the season.

Lindholm is a growing star on defense, coming off a year in which he scored a career-best 10 goals and 28 points in 80 games, averaging 22 minutes per night. He was also a huge part of Anaheim’s run to Game 7 of the Western Conference Final the previous spring, scoring 10 points in 16 games while increasing his ice time to 23:15.

Report: Ducks Are Not Close on Deal With Young Swede

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According to the Register, the “feeling” is that Anaheim’s closer to a deal with Rakell than Lindholm. It’s worth mentioning the Ducks make their season debut in two weeks — on Oct. 13, with a road date in Dallas.

We could sit here and debate whether or not he is worth the money. It looks like he very well might be worth it. Considering if he gets an AAV of about $6.5 million with the length being 8 seasons, the money will be looked at as a good deal with the NHL cap expected to grow considerably over that time and the continued rise of player salaries.

Good young defenseman in the NHL are not easy to come by, just ask the Boston Bruins. If the Ducks are smart they will lock up Lindholm long-term, he is certainly worth $6-7 million dollars per season if the contract length is over 5 years. Other defensemen around his age make similar salaries with Dougie Hamilton getting paid $5.75 million AAV, it’s debatable if one is better than the other but they are only a year apart in age.

Next: Hampus Lindholm: Expect a Bridge Deal

Anaheim Ducks D Hampus Lindholm, in theory, will continue to grow with age. At the end of an eight-year deal, he will still be in the prime of his career at 30 years old. According to reports though the Ducks are still far enough apart on Lindholm, so much so that he might start the season not playing for the team. Yo have to wonder if he is a trade candidate if this gets dragged on long enough. But for now, unlike Jacob Trouba, Lindholm is looking to re-sign with the team that drafted him.

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