[Rumour] Chris Johnston: Lindholm is interested in staying

[Nelson]

I think the biggest reason for positivity is Craig Conroy’s patience.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Because both sides are still working hard on getting a deal done. There is plenty of time, both sides are going to try and get the best deal they can. If Lindholm did not want to be here he would have made that clear like Hanifin did. There is absolutely no reason he would not have asked for a trade.His agent and the Flames are currently still negotiating, this has been reported by multiple reputable insiders now, not just me.

I don't think this is true at all. Why would he uproot his family to go to entirely new team and situation in a contract year? Not to mention he might have to do it all over again the following year. I'm sure he would rather play out the year in a situation that is known and comfortable to him. It makes sense for his family and makes sense for his career. Also, why would he close the door on the Flames when that might be the most lucrative offer on the table? He can't predict the market. I'm sure he watched Gaudreau have less interest than anticipated and knows he could potentially be in a similar situation where the offers made aren't the ones he was hoping for. He might have legitimate interest in staying but to say there is no reason he wouldn't come out and say different is definitely not true.

[manwiches]

Take for what it's worth. But I've heard from good authority that both Lindholm and Backlund are waiting, and likely will know by training camp or just after. The analogy that was given to me was, imagine you just got a new boss and supervisor, and while seemed good on the surface, want to see how they really are in person and in action. The same person thinks that they will either sign just before season starts or after training camp.

Take that for what you will.

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[gvitaly]

I actually think it's a good idea to wait 20 games before signing Lindholm. We signed Huberdeau before he played a game in his contract year, now many regret it. The Flames should have an idea what Lindholm is, but chemistry plays a huge role here.

It would help gauge if we're getting a 65P Lindholm, or a PPG Lindholm that built chemistry with say Huberdeau. I personally want to see more of a difference maker offensively and on the PP to start the year, before committing to an 8 x $8M+ contract.

[Enoch Root]

Lindholm's been here for 5 years, and we've seen him with all kinds of line-mates. If we don't know what he is yet, another 20 games isn't going to make a difference.

Either sign him or trade him. But putting arbitrary deadlines on the process won't help anything.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

But putting arbitrary deadlines on the process won't help anything.

This is it exactly. Any deadline before training camp would be purely arbitrary. Neither side has anything to gain by signing a deal in August.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Lindholm's been here for 5 years, and we've seen him with all kinds of line-mates. If we don't know what he is yet, another 20 games isn't going to make a difference.

Either sign him or trade him. But putting arbitrary deadlines on the process won't help anything.

I can't say with any certainty that he can or can't be effective on a line with Huberdeau. I also haven't seen him under Huska, 2 games not withstanding.

[RedHawk12]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

I can't say with any certainty that he can or can't be effective on a line with Huberdeau. I also haven't seen him under Huska, 2 games not withstanding.

Coaches and linemates come and go. Based on average tenures of coaches around the NHL, Lindholm will have about 3 head coaches over the course of his next contract, as well as a whole bunch of different linemates. He's already played for 4 coaches with different linemates and different positions. You make the commitment to a player based on what you know about him as a player and how you project him as he ages, not on potential chemistry with coaches and other players, especially over something like a 20 game span.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by blankall

If $13.5 million is the going rate for a legit franchise #1 centre, then Lindholm holding out for $9+ isn't outrageous. Squabbling over $250k/year doesn't seem like much, but it translates into $2 million dollars over the course of an 8 year contract.

$13.25 million is the Toronto price for a top 5-10 player in the league, every star player on that team held out for the maximum. Regardless, Matthews is in no way a comparable for Lindholm.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by RedHawk12

Coaches and linemates come and go. Based on average tenures of coaches around the NHL, Lindholm will have about 3 head coaches over the course of his next contract, as well as a whole bunch of different linemates. He's already played for 4 coaches with different linemates and different positions. You make the commitment to a player based on what you know about him as a player and how you project him as he ages, not on potential chemistry with coaches and other players, especially over something like a 20 game span.

That's where I disagree. If we have any type of a window it's in the next 3 years before Huberdeau, Kadri, and Lindholm start slowing down. If the team stumbles out of the gate, then it's rebuild/retool for the next couple of years, and Lindholm better be traded for futures.

[Ferarri]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

I actually think it's a good idea to wait 20 games before signing Lindholm. We signed Huberdeau before he played a game in his contract year, now many regret it. The Flames should have an idea what Lindholm is, but chemistry plays a huge role here.

It would help gauge if we're getting a 65P Lindholm, or a PPG Lindholm that built chemistry with say Huberdeau. I personally want to see more of a difference maker offensively and on the PP to start the year, before committing to an 8 x $8M+ contract.

My personal take on the situation is that Lindholm will want to get something done before the beginning of the season if he is interested in staying a Flame. Last year was an off year production wise and there are a lot of variables that him and his agent can use to justify this. For example there was the coach/player toxicity between Darryl and others as well as low morale indicated by several players. Also, there is the argument that the system Sutter demanded stifled offensive production as it was a defensive first responsibility (which in a lot of ways suits Lindholm’s strengths).

However, if scoring is a problem again this year then questions start to be asked about the players production without Johnny and Tkachuk. Speculation will grow that the numbers he wants to be paid for are in the past and that it really was the creativity of the other two who drove that line. I’m not saying he doesn’t have the potential to have a bounce back year and his production should certainly increase but it could be a gamble on his part not to sign when there is obvious demand from the organization. I would bet that his agent is driving the delay trying to secure as much money as possible based on Calgary’s comments about wanting to keep the player.

Where Conroy and company need to be careful is assessing the player and what he brings moving forward. Age is certainly a factor and they need to be realistic about his point totals. Also the question needs to be asked about how much of a factor his previous linemates were. There is certainly a lucrative market for a player like Lindholm but the Flames need to be careful not to overpay. What that value is has become a bit clearer with some recent signings of top threshold players as well as those with similar production numbers.

I’ll still think this gets done before the season starts (that is if he’s interested in Calgary) and this is probably his best chance to cash in. I hope the Flames have a walkaway number if the demands are un-realistic based on the factors mentioned above.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by manwiches

Take for what it's worth. But I've heard from good authority that both Lindholm and Backlund are waiting, and likely will know by training camp or just after. The analogy that was given to me was, imagine you just got a new boss and supervisor, and while seemed good on the surface, want to see how they really are in person and in action. The same person thinks that they will either sign just before season starts or after training camp.

Take that for what you will.

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I guess they have the leverage to wait and see, but this seems really odd to me. They should both be plenty familiar with Conroy and Huska. Do they think Huska is going to turn into Sutter?

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Hackey

I don't think this is true at all. Why would he uproot his family to go to entirely new team and situation in a contract year? Not to mention he might have to do it all over again the following year. I'm sure he would rather play out the year in a situation that is known and comfortable to him. It makes sense for his family and makes sense for his career. Also, why would he close the door on the Flames when that might be the most lucrative offer on the table? He can't predict the market. I'm sure he watched Gaudreau have less interest than anticipated and knows he could potentially be in a similar situation where the offers made aren't the ones he was hoping for. He might have legitimate interest in staying but to say there is no reason he wouldn't come out and say different is definitely not true.

This makes sense to me. Keep the Flames as an option, if the other offers are not on the table or the wife decides she likes Calgary sign that one final big contract in Calgary and play out your career here. A lot of other players have signed their final big contracts to play out their final years in Calgary (Huberdeau, Kadri, Coleman, Weegar) so you have a bunch of other guys who are of similar vintage here. No need to uproot the family twice and Calgary may be where you want to play out your final years.

[Roof-Daddy]

C'mon Lindy, don't "Gaudreau" us

[Chonger]

Originally Posted by dino7c

nah, this place is getting stupid...hockey is supposed to be fun. It's a dumb kids game that doesn't matter.



if posters want to be miserable about a game they can continue with their sad lives. Anyway I am done with CP for a while.

Just because someone views the team they love negatively at the moment doesnt make them a miserable person. Its simply how they feel about the team.
Opinions other than yours are valid. The problem isnt other fans speaking negatively about the team. Its you not being able to handle reading it.

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[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Chonger

Just because someone views the team they love negatively at the moment doesnt make them a miserable person. Its simply how they feel about the team.
Opinions other than yours are valid. The problem isnt other fans speaking negatively about the team. Its you not being able to handle reading it.

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So close to a useful and positive post. Right up until the end.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by dino7c

nah, this place is getting stupid...hockey is supposed to be fun. It's a dumb kids game that doesn't matter.

if posters want to be miserable about a game they can continue with their sad lives. Anyway I am done with CP for a while.

No, you're not. You say this every month or so, and then you post within a few days. It's weird, I don't know why you keep doing it.

If you just posted how you feel and accepted other opinions you'd be fine, but instead you constantly try to gatekeep any negative or pessimistic opinions off the site, along with anything positive about other NHL teams. Along with bashing any Flames player/coach/team the second they leave the team. It's all bizarre.

[flamesgod]

Originally Posted by Igottago

I guess they have the leverage to wait and see, but this seems really odd to me. They should both be plenty familiar with Conroy and Huska. Do they think Huska is going to turn into Sutter?

I don't think it's odd to do your due diligence before signing an 8 year deal, or in Backlund' situation, probably his last contract. Makes a lot of sense to me actually.

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by dino7c

nah, this place is getting stupid...hockey is supposed to be fun. It's a dumb kids game that doesn't matter.

if posters want to be miserable about a game they can continue with their sad lives. Anyway I am done with CP for a while.

Lanny should take a hike. He’s the biggest ####### on this site, bar none. The irony of him calling out Spurs for being negative is hilarious.

[memphusk]

Time to play hardball. #### or get off the pot boys. Enough of the coddling.