Elias Lindholm is becoming one of one of the best players in the NHL, and the Calgary Flames made no mistakes after trading for him this past offseason
Elias Lindholm of the Calgary Flames is a special player. Not just on the offensive end, but as a true two-way gem who can play both ends of the ice. As with most Swedish prospects, Lindholm played in the Swedish Hockey League, where several 18-year-old teenagers get their break to play professional hockey. He got his first taste of pro hockey back in 2011-12 and never looked back.
On top of his professional experience, Lindholm came out of every major junior world tournament with a medal since his SHL debut, whether it be at the U-18 or U-20 tournament. He likes to win, and he proved that as a teenager, garnering him a top-five ranking in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Lindholm was taken fifth overall by the Carolina Hurricanes and played five seasons in Raleigh before getting dealt.
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Briefly looking at the trade between the Flames and the Hurricanes, defenseman prospect Adam Fox would need to pay huge dividends for this trade to balance out. Micheal Ferland started the season with the bang but has since come back to Earth. Dougie Hamilton is already showing signs of diminishing returns while Noah Hanifin is just getting his feet wet. Needless to say, the Flames have come out on top in this one.
Calgary believed so much in Lindholm that they signed him to a contract extension immediately after trading for him. The foresight here is commendable, and they have built a perfect first unit for years to come.
The New Calgary Flames Era
In 44 games with the Flames, Lindholm has 20 goals and 30 assists, along with plus-27 rating and 109 shots on net. His 17 powerplay points puts him in the top 20, and his three shorthanded points (4th in the NHL) and five game-winning goals (5th in the NHL) only add to this glorious season. His 18.3% shooting percentage is also elite level, much better than his career average of 10.1%. Without a doubt, this will be the season Lindholm sets career highs across the board.
If it’s not the stats, it’s the durability. Despite joining the NHL ranks fairly young, Lindholm has missed under 15 games since 2014-15. He played 58 games in his first NHL season back in 2013-14, after being called up during the season from the AHL. He had all the makings of a pure NHL talent who can do it all, and he is finally reaching his potential in 2018-19.
Could Lindholm have asked for better linemates? Jonhnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan are around the same age as Lindholm, and compliment his style of play perfectly. All three have the skills to make plays and score goals. Before Lindholm’s arrival, Gaudreau and Monohan had their struggles. If it wasn’t inconsistencies, it was injuries. They both showed signs of being elite players, but the Flames needed a supporting cast to help their young stars flourish.
The culmination of the past year could not have been more perfect for everyone involved. Their chemistry over the last few months has been nothing shot of spectacular, and Gaudreau is reaping the most offensive benefit. He is expect to be a top goal scorer in the NHL and, with 26 goals so far and a five-game goal streak, he is finding his footing once again.
Lindholm is not only becoming a great player, but he is making the players around him better. This is by far the best version of Monahan we’ve seen to date, and Gaudreau has always needed the additional support to make plays. Points aside, Lindholm deserves a lot of credit for the Flames’ success so far this season, and he is becoming a major part of this team’s future as the year progresses.
If the Flames continue on this trajectory, there is no telling what their first line can accomplish in the second half of the season. They have the speed, the two-way presence, and the skill to dominate other teams. Despite the ups and downs with Gaudreau and Monahan, it looks like the Flames have found the perfect third piece to their puzzle. As their chemistry continues to grow, the rest of the NHL will need to take notes.