Elias Lindholm: The Versatile Swede

Picture Source: Hockey Sverige

In the 2013 NHL Entry Draft the Carolina Hurricanes selected Elias Lindholm as their first round selection (fifth overall in the entire draft).  On July 15th the Canes signed Lindholm to an entry-level contract.  Playing for Brynas IF during the 2012-13 Swedish Elitserien season he finished third on the team in scoring with 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) in 48 regular season games.  With that said, how will he be a fit for the Canes and will he produce?  C. Cole and A. Caldwell will give their opinions about the new acquisition.

C. Cole
Lindholm's role as a set-up man for both Brynas and the Swedish junior team will translate to the Canes well.  If you look at his stats for Brynas when he played for both the U-20 and senior teams he can score goals, but is more of an assist man.  He loves to look for the open man and is very willing to pass the puck instead of scoring, but he definitely has the hands and the scoring ability to give the Hurricanes some much needed goals.  From what I have seen of him, he is willing to play the body in order to get the puck off his opponent as well as put his body in front of shots.  Another plus is he plays center as well as left wing so the team can put him in different places on the ice depending on the situation and can be a very reliable second center on any line he is playing wing on if a player gets kicked out of the face-off circle.  Lindholm will for sure be a player the Canes will want to rely on to get things done. 

A. Caldwell
Lindholm shows promise that he can make it in the NHL.  My hope is that he can jump right into action because of his career in the Swedish Elite League.  I believe that Lindholm could be a valued member of our third line with the likes of Jeff Skinner and Zac Dalpe.  With the chemistry that Skinner and Dalpe already have, adding the likes of a natural assist man in Lindholm could be a huge payoff.  Doubting that Rutherford and Muller read this blog, I guess we will have to just wait and see where the chips fall.  I look forward to seeing Lindholm hit the ice in preseason.

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