The Boston Bruins made the right move by signing this year's top free-agent center.
Heading into the 2024 NHL Offseason, the Boston Bruins' No. 1 objective was crystal clear: add a first-line center. Thankfully, longtime target Elias Lindholm hit the free-agent market on July 1. Naturally, the Bruins acted quickly and signed this year's top free-agent center to a seven-year, $54.25 million contract.
There is no question that this Lindholm contract comes with an expensive cap hit ($7.75 million) and plenty of term, but it was a necessary move for the Bruins. After losing Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci to retirement last season, their center depth needed a massive boost. While the Bruins had a strong regular season, their trouble down the middle caught up to them during their series against the Florida Panthers. Yet, they now have added a much-needed piece who should help remedy this issue in Lindholm.
Elias Lindholm
While Lindholm had a down season in 2023-24, split between the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks, there is apparent reason to believe that he will bounce back in Boston. The 2013 first-round pick has past success playing on lines with big stars, and he will get the chance to do so again in Boston. As their expected 1C, Lindholm will almost certainly get to play with superstar David Pastrnak. This should lead to his numbers going up.
Lindholm's best season came in 2021-22 when he played on a line with Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau in Calgary. In 82 games, he posted 42 goals and 82 points. If he can get his numbers to similar totals in Boston playing with Pastrnak, he would be a complete home run of a signing.
Nevertheless, the Bruins needed a skilled center who is defensively responsible, and they have landed that in Lindholm. It will be intriguing to see how he performs for the Bruins in 2024-25 and onward from here, but it is a move that should benefit the Original Six club.
