Player Discussion Elias Lindholm

[sandwichbird2023]

I keep reading this and I keep responding to this. It's not that I disagree, but the issue isn't whether Lindholm was propped up by Gaudreau and Tkachuk. None of us was expecting a 40+ goal PPG C. The issue is that Lindholm hasn't performed like a 2C. Morrison in his prime without Naslund or Bert would have been at least an above average 2C and we all contemporaenously knew it. Like at the right price that is a good player. He probably would have been a 20 goal ~60 point C who isn't a liability defensively.

Rucchin is a bit different from Morrison. Morrison would be fine playing in today's game but Rucchin's skating would prevent him from reaching similar success. But Rucchin in his era and in his prime would also be a fine 2C on his own with his size and D making him effective rather than offensive skill like Morrison. Ducks fans contemporaneously knew it. They weren't think he was only good because of Kariya.

I've said this before. I have liked Lindholm for many years. He was a great player and I don't think you can take that away from him. But he's having a terrible season. He's certainly not a franchise 1C type and shouldn't be paid like one but in the past he's better than this. But he is also at an age where it's not completely unsual to suffer a decline. I don't really see a surgical history in his past.

I wasn't trying to comparing the 3 centers directly, they are all vastly different players with different strength. I was more commenting on their unique situations of being decent players (likely 2nd line players on their own merit) that were propped up by 2 elite wingers. I think offensively, Lindholm is maybe a slightly better player than Mo and definitely better than Rucchin. However, Lindholm is probably a high end 2C rather than a 1C in his prime, and with a bit of a decline, it make sense that he is struggling to produce offensively carrying his own line.

My comparison between the 3 players were very surface-level meant as an observation, that's all.

I don't understand why we aren't using him as a 2C while running the lotto line, like we haven't even tried it for a whole game let alone a 2-4 game stretch, seriously not understanding what the logic is behind this. If we can make him a competent 2c behind an elite 1st line our top 6 looks so much better, instead we have Suter in the top 6, it's utterly ridiculous.

I think Tocchet really like 4 good centers as the "spine" of the lineup. I also remember hearing on the radio one of the host or guest mentioned that neither Petey nor JTM like playing wing, at least not for an extended period of time. But the way the Garland/Blueger/Joshua line played this season, I really hope they reunite them when Joshua is healthy, which allow the Lotto Line to be put together and have Lindholm centering a line with Hoglander. Would be much better than wasting Lindholm on the 4th line.

 

[thecupismine]

At this point I'm just hoping his play magically turns around in the playoffs - he's basically been Blueger level to this point, which is unfortunate to say the least given the acquisition cost.

 

[clay]

At this point I'm just hoping his play magically turns around in the playoffs - he's basically been Blueger level to this point, which is unfortunate to say the least given the acquisition cost.

Yes, this looks like a big pro scouting whiff. Basically a replacement level player right now.

 

[sting101]

Lindholm is a UFA he has been moved to a top team that has given him PP1 SC1 SC2 and where is he now and what is he doing with that opportunity?

The reality is he's just not that good anymore in an up tempo system and has become a support player expecting him to just flip some switch come playoffs is highly unlikely and foolish.

As a winger he doesn't excel along the boards he's not a hard and fast attacking type that backs off the defense or forechecks like a demon. Not really a net driving or play driving presence either.

You have to ask the question is it better to have a potential elite 3rd line or try and force a square peg into a round hole and move someone best suited to C to the wing to make a marginal improvement to a top6 scoring line. Maybe so if Blueger can recapture the chemistry and play of the first few months but then what does the 4th line look like weaker at C

He's very much a C. His best combination ever was with a waterbug puck possession player in Gaudreau (Garland) and a PF who was relentless in the trenches with Tkachuk. (Joshua) He's still highly capable defensively and at being relied upon to close out games.

Would he be worth re signing?...Not a chance if he wants top6 money which he will so it is what it is. Us him and let him go.

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

I thought he had a good game against the Sabres, hopefully he builds off that for tonights game.

 

[Bleach Clean]

I don't understand why we aren't using him as a 2C while running the lotto line, like we haven't even tried it for a whole game let alone a 2-4 game stretch, seriously not understanding what the logic is behind this. If we can make him a competent 2c behind an elite 1st line our top 6 looks so much better, instead we have Suter in the top 6, it's utterly ridiculous.

I think the logic is that he wants his best natural Cs to play C. That includes Pettersson, who looks better in the middle anyway.

The Lotto Line is fine as an occasional trick to be used, but kind of erodes their depth too much as a constant. Not only this, it's erratic in a 2way sense.



As an aside: Lindholm suffering from an upper-body injury explains his decline in shooting ability.

Tocchet has made the correct decision by keeping him at C. He is a natural centre and is providing utility beyond scoring there (4th in TOI/GP). It's not ideal, but it's still better than forgoing that utility at C and having him not scoring due to his hand injury, which would be the case if he were moved to wing.

 

[Bougieman]

Yeah, I just came here to say the same thing. it makes so much sense to find out he's been suffering from a nagging injury. He looked much better in his first handful of games here, and then really seemed to drop off at everything aside from faceoffs. When he comes back from whatever is ailing him, I pretty much assure you that he's going to fit in a lot better. With any luck, he'll be 100% come playoff time, and really put the doubters to bed.

We haven't really had the best intro to this player, and I think that's leading to a lot of this negativity on him. I don't blame people though... you can only base your opinions on what you're seeing, and he hasn't looked like a guy that is worth what he's making.

 

[David71]

just shut him down the rest of the season and let him rest whatever injury hes going through. in the meantime just insert nils aman in the lineup. move bluger to third line.

 

[AzNightmare]

just shut him down the rest of the season and let him rest whatever injury hes going through. in the meantime just insert nils aman in the lineup. move bluger to third line.

You mean the regular season or the entire season? Cause if he's gone for the playoffs too.. then. welp. Most expensive rental ever.

 

[David71]

You mean the regular season or the entire season? Cause if he's gone for the playoffs too.. then. welp. Most expensive rental ever.

regular season. theres only 10 games left

 

[LordBacon]

Lindholm is underperforming but whos to say he cant turn it around?
We quite literally have a legendary coaching group to help players out.

If the Lindholm's performance were to decline further, we shall ditch his bitch ass come UFA and get valuable capspace back for other fa signings i.e. Hronek, Zaddy Daddy, etc.

Some of you good folks need to chill. The trade definitely couldve been better but this really isnt as bad as it looks.

 

[TruGr1t]

Has there been any comment on whether this injury was sustained recently, or if it's something he's been nursing since he was in Calgary? If we missed this while trading for him that's a pretty major boo boo.

 

[Nucker101]

Has there been any comment on whether this injury was sustained recently, or if it's something he's been nursing since he was in Calgary? If we missed this while trading for him that's a pretty major boo boo.

He left that game before the trade deadline with an injury. I’d bet that’s when it happened

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

Sounds like we traded for damaged goods.

Least it would explain his play.

Doesn't help the cost paid though.

 

[Misko]

Feels like we're now in rental territory on Lindholm and the UFA signing priority has Joshua and maybe even Blueger above him.

 

[Jyrki]

Imo the disappointment so far from me is that under Tocchet most guys elevated their game onenl way or the other. So far, no signs of that from Lindholm.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

Imo the disappointment so far from me is that under Tocchet most guys elevated their game onenl way or the other. So far, no signs of that from Lindholm.

Yeah.

I have so much trust in our pro scouting and Toc that I expected him to elevate his game here. And that his baseline should be better than weve seen so far even if he didnt rebound.

 

[David71]

patterson mentioned in the tweet that he suffered his "injury during march 5th game against LA. then rumours started swirling around that he would get "dealt to boston". mysterious injury. he left the 2nd period and didnt come back until later on.

 

[canuckslover10]

Why we didn't shut him down right away and make sure he's healthy for the playoffs is beyond me .

 

[sting101]

Interesting that he's been playing hurt.

When we acquired him i thought there was a possibility he could replace what Horvat used to do for us in faceoffs match ups and the bumper on the PP. Maybe the player that could see us phase Miller to the wing in a couple years but sadly the lack of top6 and PP chemistry has made it a situation where he becomes grossly overpaid the minute the next contract is signed.

If there is one thing i can't stand it's legacy contracts for players who have done next to nothing for this organization. It's one thing to get a Myers or Sutter in an overpay and yet another to get a Loui Eriksson OEL Jay Beagle contract on the books. Those are crippling

Only way you entertain a retain is 2-3 yrs max and the way he's been trending and the Horvat+ dollars that were thrown around earlier in the year make coming to an agreement highly unlikely.

Team is struggling to score goals right now we really could use Lindholm back playing at his best to help get a line going.

Blueger hasn't scored a goal in 36 games and all of 2024. Can't be relying on him to be the 3C if we want to have any kind of respectable scoring depth behind 9 and 40 down the middle.

 

[CanuckleBerry]

Whether it's some underlying injury, regression or just straight up bad play, Lindholm is playing his way to a 1-year "show me" contract in the off-season. He wants the big bucks but why on earth would any GM give it to him right now? The uncertainty kills any chance of term, and the production kills any chance of a high AAV.

 

[David71]

what if hes getting surgery for whatever injury is ailing him and he wont be ready in time for the playoffs.? unless vancouver makes it far and is ready for round 2?

 

[VanJack]

Wouldn't shock me at all if Lindholm was playing through some sort of injury......but that's the luxury of the position the Canucks are in right now. They don't have to rush him back.

Like most TDL acquisitions by contending teams, Lindholm wasn't acquired for what he might do in the March. It's all about the playoffs in mid-April. If all he does is win key faceoffs and contribute to the PK, he'll be worth it. Any scoring would be a bonus.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

It was reported as a wrist/hand injury and was scheduled to meet with a specialist last week (old news).


Now there are rumors he could miss the rest of the season?

Speculating here but I am going to guess he was injured earlier on in the season and tried to play through it due to being an impending UFA. Furthermore, if he does....then he will probably need some sort of surgical procedure.

Just really unfortunate for the team.

 

[iceburg]

Never want to see a player struggle with injury. It sucks for them, especially in a contract year.

That said, he might now be in a position to only ask for a contract that more closely matches where he is at physicaly at this stage of his career. Not sure many teams will be willing to pay up hoping that he'll regain a 60+pt pace. He is closer to a 40 pt guy right now who is defensively responsible.

He is actually almost a perfect 3C if he's willing to take a contract that matches that level.