The Boston Bruins will face fierce competition in the NHL trade market if they hope to acquire Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm before the March 8 deadline.
Even though the NHL Holiday Roster Freeze ends on December 28th, trade rumors about the league continue to circulate. NHL insider Pierre LeBrun was the most recent to connect the Boston Bruins to the Flames’ prospective 2024 unrestricted free agency on the most recent episode of “TSN Insider Trading.” He also connected the Colorado Avalanche, another team vying for the Stanley Cup.
LeBrun emphasized that neither Elias Lindholm nor the Flames have expressed a desire to move on, but like many others in the NHL, he thinks Lindholm will be sold before the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline.
To start with, there hasn’t been much activity on that front either. When asked about Lindholm’s status, LeBrun responded, “And part of it is that there haven’t been many conversations between the Lindholm camp and the Calgary Flames.” “Not that you should read too much into that because neither Lindholm nor the Flames have indicated to him that they firmly desire for him to leave. That’s it, then.
However, I do believe he will be dealt closer to March 8; the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche are the two teams that come to mind. That fit would be useful for both. Although we are aware that no one can take Patrice Bergeron’s place, a right-handed center with defensive prowess like Lindholm would undoubtedly be a good match.
On the other hand, as LeBrun said, the Boston Bruins are falling behind in their attempt to acquire a hot commodity like Lindholm through trade. In addition to lacking a first-round pick in 2024, the Bruins will have to contend with the likes of the Avalanche and other teams in order to obtain the 6-foot-194-pound pivot, who is 29 years old.
What’s the issue for Boston? LeBrun noted, “They traded their first-round pick this year last year for Tyler Bertuzzi as a rental.” “An improvement in Colorado’s top six is desired.” But acquisition cost once more. They wish to avoid overspending because they have been doing so a lot in the previous few years. Yet, this is a name that will
“What’s the issue for Boston? LeBrun noted that they acquired Tyler Bertuzzi as a rental last year by trading their first-round pick. “Colorado is trying to get into the top six. However, acquisition costs again. They wish to avoid making excessive purchases because they have in the past few years. However, as March 8 approaches, this name will be close to the top of our Trade Bait Board.
The Bruins’ situation is made worse by the fact that, should the Flames choose not to request a 2024 first round pick in exchange for Lindholm, they also lack a 2024 second or third round pick. So, unless the Flames are prepared to accept back 2025 and later picks, the Bruins probably won’t be able to compete with other interested Lindholm trade suitors if the Flames were willing to make a return combination of picks and prospects or picks, prospects, and players.
The only scenario in which Lindholm could still be available to the Bruins is if the Flames were still in the running for the playoffs at the time of the deadline and preferred roster players over prospects. In that scenario, could unsigned Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk and defender Matt Grzelcyk—who like Lindholm may be a 2024 UFA—along with a top prospect lure Flames general manager Craig Conroy?
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