Brewin Flames Posted September 14, 2023 Share Posted September 14, 2023 Lindholm willing to sign contract to stay with Flames Forward entering final season of 6-year deal, can be UFA after 2023-24 ByAaron Vickers NHL.com Independent Correspondent September 13, 2023 CALGARY -- Elias Lindholm is willing to sign a contract to remain with the Calgary Flames. The 28-year-old forward is in the final season of a six-year, $29.1 million contract ($4.85 million average annual value) he signed July 16, 2018, and can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. "I've been pretty clear, I'm willing to stay," he said prior to playing in the Calgary Flames Celebrity Charity Golf Classic on Wednesday. " … We've got to work it out. Right now I'm focusing on the season and the rest will take care of itself." Lindholm has 325 points (139 goals, 186 assists) in 369 games in five seasons with Calgary, including an NHL career-high 82 points (42 goals, 40 assists) in 2021-22, when he finished second in voting for the Selke Trophy as the top defensive forward in the NHL. Last season, he was second on the Flames with 64 points (22 goals, 42 assists) in 80 games. "I love it here," Lindholm said. "I love Canada as a country and Calgary as a city. Ever since I've got here it's been great, fans have been good, everyone's treated me well, great teammates. So far so good." Flames general manager Craig Conroy said the goal is to keep Lindholm. "We're just talking to him and talking to his representation and just moving forward," he said. "Everybody wants something to be quick, but it's just been a slow process. We're going to continue to work at it. "He's open to it. Now it's just a negotiation. It never goes quite as quickly as everyone would like. We're just in that process. The one good thing is these are all good guys, they're all happy to be here, there's no issues with that. That's the one thing. They're not saying, 'Hey, I'm not coming to camp,' or 'I'm unhappy.' With Elias, we're working on a deal. That's where it is. Can we get something worked out? That's really the main focus right now." Lindholm is one of six Flames who can become a UFA at the end of the season, along with forward Mikael Backlund and defensemen Noah Hanifin, Nikita Zadorov, Chris Tanev and Oliver Kylington. "Lot of guys on one-year deals," Lindholm said. "We're just focusing on the season. That's all I can do. Try to be competitive out there and have a good season." The Flames (38-27-17) finished two points behind the Winnipeg Jets for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference last season. Conroy was promoted to replace Brad Treliving as GM on May 23, and assistant Ryan Huska was named coach June 12, replacing Darryl Sutter. "It's exciting," Lindholm said of the changes. "I know Huska, he's been around on the bench for a long time. He's a great guy. Haven't had him as a head coach but you know where he's at. … We're excited, and he's a great guy. 'Conny' has been around a long time too, so we're excited." Lindholm said he feels good about the Flames' playoff chances despite all the changes and contractual uncertainties. "We still have pretty much the same team," he said. "We had some good moments in the season last year. We just have to string it all together and be more consistent. We have some really good players and we have to be more consistent. I'm excited about the season. You always say once you get in (to the playoffs) you never know. You look at Florida, they got in in the last second there and almost made it the whole way. "Last year we were coming in with a lot of expectations, and on ourselves as well. Didn't live up to them but still pretty close to making the playoffs. We still have the same team. Maybe it's good for us to be a little underdog here." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegx.ca Posted September 25, 2023 Share Posted September 25, 2023 Hope he stays but I think it'll depend on if Backlund stays or not all those Swedes want to stick together haha...if they make the playoffs they could all stay but if they miss I can't see any of them extending... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegx.ca Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 Welp another sad day for Calgary with Lindholm going to Vancity... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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