[dfsflamesfan]

Some interesting tidbits in the article here: https://www.canescountry.com/2018/5/...draft-signings

Lindholm:

Starting at the top, Elias Lindholm has more than earned a contract extension with his 2017-18 season. He transitioned back to his natural center position and played very well. He has really matured as player and, while he isn’t the first-line center that some hoped he would be in 2013, he has carved out his own game and is far from a “bust”. He is coming off of a two-year bridge deal, so he may be in line for a bigger deal - maybe four years at around $4.5 million. I think the fact that Victor Rask is making $4 million will give Lindy some leverage and should get him some extra money.

Hanifin:

Noah Hanifin is the big fish here. He was an all-star last season, thanks mostly to circumstance, but he had a great first half. His second half, however, was not great, but he still did finish with 32 points. How much of his struggles were his fault and how much of the blame lied on now ex-head coach Bill Peters? I can’t answer that, but I still fully believe in Hanifin’s upside. It wasn’t even three years ago when many people were absolutely stunned that he dropped to number five for Carolina, in similar fashion to how Seth Jones dropped to Nashville in 2013.

Like Jones, Hanifin’s first three years haven’t been overwhelmingly great, but Seth Jones was one of the very best defensemen in the league this year, and the Hurricanes shouldn’t get impatient with Hanifin as he could, very easily, become that kind of player.

I could see these negotiations being difficult. Hanifin will likely want a longterm deal, but the Canes might not comply. He doesn’t have arbitration rights yet, so I think he does ultimately get a bridge deal in the two-year, $3.5 million ballpark.