[Rumour] Chris Johnston: Lindholm is interested in staying

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Hackey

Lindholm isn't even in the top 20 centers now. I can only imagine when he's still here at 38 years old. Huberdeau, Lindholm, Kadri can be the oldest most expensive line in the league.

You realize these sorts do statements mean absolutely nothing, right? He’s not a top 20 C? By whose standards, yours?

When Lindholm is 38 years old is there any guarantee that all, or any, if Huberdeau, Kadri, or even Lindholm himself is still a Flame?

Actually, when Lindholm is 38, assuming he signs an 8 year deal (which is likely), Kadri’s deal will have expired by 3 years and Huberdeau by 1.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by TOfan

You realize these sorts do statements mean absolutely nothing, right? He’s not a top 20 C? By whose standards, yours?

When Lindholm is 38 years old is there any guarantee that all, or any, if Huberdeau, Kadri, or even Lindholm himself is still a Flame?

Actually, when Lindholm is 38, assuming he signs an 8 year deal (which is likely), Kadri’s deal will have expired by 3 years and Huberdeau by 1.

I agree with you on the top 20 statement, anybody who has Lindholm ranked as anything is just an opinion.

The likelihood that these old guys are Flames for the duration is reasonably high IMO because old guys are almost untraceable. When you do trade them you need to eat salary and get nothing in return.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Hackey

ROR maybe. But that's one player. The Blues were also an extreme outlier. Is that really how we're trying to build a team? Hope that we're the one outlier team of the last 50 years.

50 years?

Who was the Devils 1C in 95, or any of their other cups? Jason Arnott?

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by TOfan

I dunno, man. Seems to me similar things were being said about ROR and Jack Eichel at one point or another.

‘Average / not a winner / not a true elite 1C /etc etc’

So is your example that a 27 year old center or a 26 year old center can be integral in leading a team to a Stanley Cup? Because if that is your point (that players under 30 can lead teams to Stanley Cups) I wholeheartedly agree.

If your point is that centers sometimes have people say negative things about them and then they prove those people wrong it is probably a weaker argument for it happening to any center, particularly centers in their 30’s who have never had success before.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by TOfan

50 years?

Who was the Devils 1C in 95, or any of their other cups? Jason Arnott?

I think on those runs for the devils in the late 90’s it was a 25/26 year old Jason Arnott.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by TOfan

50 years?

Who was the Devils 1C in 95, or any of their other cups? Jason Arnott?

Not known for their centre history, sure…. But having two hall of fame D men and one of the greatest goalies of all time sure helped win a cup. We could go that route too…

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

I agree with you on the top 20 statement, anybody who has Lindholm ranked as anything is just an opinion.

The likelihood that these old guys are Flames for the duration is reasonably high IMO because old guys are almost untraceable. When you do trade them you need to eat salary and get nothing in return.

Sure, but if Kadri’s playing 3C in four years from now when the cap is ~$95-105M, is that going to be an outrageous amount of cap hit across the league?

For the sake of the discussion, let’s also keep in mind the Wild bought out Paris’s and Suter and seem to be doing just fine.

People act like resigning Lindholm while we have Huberdeau, Kadri, and even Weegar is going to be a death sentence. It’s not.

[Pickle Juice]

Originally Posted by Hackey

Lindholm isn't even in the top 20 centers now. I can only imagine when he's still here at 38 years old. Huberdeau, Lindholm, Kadri can be the oldest most expensive line in the league.

NHL Network disagrees.

20. Elias Lindholm, Calgary Flames

Lindholm had 64 points (22 goals, 42 assists) in 80 games last season, the fourth time in five seasons he's scored at least 20 goals. The 28-year-old led Calgary forwards in ice time per game (18:39), short-handed ice time per game (2:18) and was third in average power-play ice time (2:53). He won 55.7 percent of his face-offs, including the sixth most wins (857) in the NHL. Lindholm led Flames forwards in blocked shots (50), had 42 takeaways and was 10th in voting for the Selke Trophy, awarded annually to the best defensive forward.

"He's a 200-foot player," NHL Network analyst EJ Hradek said. "You can use him in all situations, he can kill penalties, he can obviously help you on the power play, you can use him late in periods, early in the game. You can use him everywhere and that's a big plus."

This is just one list. There is numerous other lists out there that have him ranked within the top 20. Also in the last 2 years two of his wingers have gone onto have career years playing alongside Lindholm. In my opinion he is very much in the top 20 as far a centers are concerned in the NHL.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

I think on those runs for the devils in the late 90’s it was a 25/26 year old Jason Arnott.

Right.

The question I’ll throw out there is/was Arnott any more valuable to the Devils compared to Lindholm and the Flames now?

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Sure, but if Kadri’s playing 3C in four years from now when the cap is ~$95-105M, is that going to be an outrageous amount of cap hit across the league?

For the sake of the discussion, let’s also keep in mind the Wild bought out Paris’s and Suter and seem to be doing just fine.

People act like resigning Lindholm while we have Huberdeau, Kadri, and even Weegar is going to be a death sentence. It’s not.

So your plan is either the cap going way up in 4 years or using 10 years of buyout space to buyout two of the old guys like the Wild did?

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Right.

The question I’ll throw out there is/was Arnott any more valuable to the Devils compared to Lindholm and the Flames now?

Every top center has value relative to the team there are on. Jeff Shantz was ask valuable and the Flames did not really have any better options back then.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

So your plan is either the cap going way up in 4 years or using 10 years of buyout space to buyout two of the old guys like the Wild did?

It’s not “his” plan, as he’s not in charge, it’s just the reality that a lot changes over the course of 8 years.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

So your plan is either the cap going way up in 4 years or using 10 years of buyout space to buyout two of the old guys like the Wild did?

No. That’s not my plan, I don’t have one. Im not the GM, I’m not required to have a plan.

I’m pointing out there will be options and it’s not the disaster some people around here like to think is all but guaranteed if the Flames resign Lindholm. Lindholm is a good, very good, player who the Flames should absolutely be trying to resign.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by TOfan

No. That’s not my plan, I don’t have one. Im not the GM, I’m not required to have a plan.

I’m pointing out there will be options and it’s not the disaster some people around here like to think is all but guaranteed if the Flames resign Lindholm. Lindholm is a good, very good, player who the Flames should absolutely be trying to resign.

Fair enough. Lindholm is actually an average top line center who will not get better in his 30’s than he was in his best season with Tkachuk and Gaudreau carrying the water and is someone the Flames should absolutely trade and not re-sign for more than a 4 year term. If a 4 yr term is good enough for a top 3 center in the NHL is should be good enough for a top 20 center.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Fair enough. Lindholm is actually an average top line center who will not get better in his 30’s than he was in his best season with Tkachuk and Gaudreau carrying the water and is someone the Flames should absolutely trade and not re-sign for more than a 4 year term. If a 4 yr term is good enough for a top 3 center in the NHL is should be good enough for a top 20 center.

You’re speculating.

How would we know Lindholm can’t match 21/22 performance? Who are his line mates this year, who are they next year? How do you know Lindholm’s career arch can’t match the player he gets compared to most often, Bergeron?

Im not saying Lindholm is as good as Bergeron, what I am saying is how do you know his play can’t sustain itself similar to Bergeron? Hell, look at Backlund. He’s played some of the best hockey of his career post 30 years old. Pretty sure if you dig up his extension thread you will come across an avalanche of posts saying he’s going to be too old making that kind of money. He’s been full value in my mind.

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by TOfan

You realize these sorts do statements mean absolutely nothing, right? He’s not a top 20 C? By whose standards, yours?

When Lindholm is 38 years old is there any guarantee that all, or any, if Huberdeau, Kadri, or even Lindholm himself is still a Flame?

Actually, when Lindholm is 38, assuming he signs an 8 year deal (which is likely), Kadri’s deal will have expired by 3 years and Huberdeau by 1.

This makes it sound even worse. Yikes.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Every top center has value relative to the team there are on. Jeff Shantz was ask valuable and the Flames did not really have any better options back then.

Don’t think that really answers the question.

Bear in mind one year ago there were several hockey pundits, even outside this market, who were saying the Flames depth at C was at the top of the league. So it’s not always about one player.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by TOfan

50 years?

Who was the Devils 1C in 95, or any of their other cups? Jason Arnott?

Its hyperbole but you basically proved my point if you have to go back 30 years to a lockout shortened season. Not to mention their two hall of fame dmen and greatest goalie of all time and the style of game they were known for.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Hackey

Its hyperbole but you basically proved my point if you have to go back 30 years to a lockout shortened season. Not to mention their two hall of fame dmen and greatest goalie of all time and the style of game they were known for.

Speaking of points proved, you’re acknowledging there is more than one way to build a cup winning team.

[Hackey]

McDavid
Draisaitl
Matthews
Crosby
Mackinnon
Point
Barkov
Malkin
Eichel
Kopitar
Stutzle
Hughes
Hischier
Petterson
Zibanejad
Tavares
Thompson
Larkin
Hintz
Aho
Bedard
Miller
Dubois

So yes its subjective but I think there are over 20 guys there better than him on that list. That's ignoring guys like Chandler, Zegras, Thomas, Suzuki, Cozens, Schiefle, etc.