Insider: Bruins’ Interest in $29 Million Free Agent Forward Growing
The Boston Bruins’ interest in pending free agent forward Elias Lindholm is intensifying, according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.
Lindholm recently completed a six-year, $29.1 million contract signed on July 16, 2018, with the Calgary Flames. He was traded to the Vancouver Canucks on February 1, 2024. As his contract ends, Lindholm is set to enter free agency on July 1, and Pagnotta reports that the Bruins are increasingly keen on signing him.
“Chatter over the Boston Bruins and their interest in signing soon-to-be unrestricted free agent center Elias Lindholm is getting louder and louder,” wrote Pagnotta.
The Bruins have long been interested in Lindholm, previously attempting to trade for him before Vancouver acquired him and even during his stint with the Canucks.
Last season, Lindholm scored 15 goals and 29 assists for 44 points in 75 games between the Flames and Canucks. In the playoffs, he contributed 5 goals and 5 assists in 13 games. DailyFaceoff.com projects Lindholm to sign a seven-year deal worth $8 million annually.
Boston’s interest in Lindholm predates his time with the Canucks. NHL insider Chris Johnston reported that the Canucks had discussed trading Lindholm to Boston before the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, but no deal materialized. Boston now hopes to sign him as a free agent on July 1.
Following their elimination in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Florida Panthers, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney expressed intentions to be aggressive in free agency to strengthen the team for the 2024-25 season.
“I think we’re going to continue to look to strengthen our back end and complement the group we have there. And then from there, it’s sort of like, how much of the pie is left — with the clear acknowledgement that Jeremy is part of this equation,” Sweeney said, via Boston.com. “Perfect world, you have a deal done there prior to [free agency], but it’s okay. … We just have to attack.
Boston has just over $21.6 million in cap space entering the offseason, per CapFriendly. However, the team has several key free agents to address, including Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, Derek Forbot, Matt Grzelcyk, and restricted free agent Jeremy Swayman.
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