Par Lindholm used to play here for our local hockey club in division 1 (Sweden's tier 3 after SHL and Allsvenskan) when he was 21-22. In other words he's had a pretty impressive late blooming road to the NHL.
I talked to him a week ago. Here's some of the quotes:
About free agent frenzy:
"It's exciting. I don't really know what will happen, but I wanna stay (over there) another year".
"We'll see who shows most interest in me, which team is the best fit and who can offer the best contract and all of those things".
About him only scoring one goal the past season:
"Yeah, s**t ... It's a bit gnarling that I was only able to score one goal. I should have scored at least five or six the way things looked. But the puck didn't wanna go in, that's just how it is sometimes".
"Playing wise I'm satisfied. It's unfortunate that I didn't score more goals and that I didn't get to play all season, but afterall I got to play 65 games despite only scoring one goal, that must mean I did something right at least".
About Winnipeg still being in the mix:
"I've talked to them of course, but I might wanna hear what other teams have to say as well and see what's out there. If better opportunities comes along I will of course listen to them".
On staying in the NHL being his first choise:
"That's my first thought, yes. But you never know, if I can't find something over there that I'm completely satisfied with maybe I'll have to look around the world for other options".