Vancouver Canucks waits for a faceoff during the first period of game one of the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena on May 8 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada” src=”https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ZM2XU5OWVXYWVYO2GKR5PE253E-66522e27022bf-768×432.jpg” srcset=”https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ZM2XU5OWVXYWVYO2GKR5PE253E-66522e27022bf-768×432.jpg?width=200 200w, https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ZM2XU5OWVXYWVYO2GKR5PE253E-66522e27022bf-768×432.jpg?width=300 300w, https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ZM2XU5OWVXYWVYO2GKR5PE253E-66522e27022bf-768×432.jpg?width=400 400w, https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ZM2XU5OWVXYWVYO2GKR5PE253E-66522e27022bf-768×432.jpg?width=500 500w, https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ZM2XU5OWVXYWVYO2GKR5PE253E-66522e27022bf-768×432.jpg?width=600 600w, https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ZM2XU5OWVXYWVYO2GKR5PE253E-66522e27022bf-768×432.jpg?width=700 700w, https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ZM2XU5OWVXYWVYO2GKR5PE253E-66522e27022bf-768×432.jpg?width=800 800w, https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ZM2XU5OWVXYWVYO2GKR5PE253E-66522e27022bf-768×432.jpg?width=900 900w” sizes=”(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px”>Elias Lindholm will become the top free agent center on the market this summer. Derek Cain//Keynote USA/Getty Images
Don Sweeney and the Bruins brass promised an “aggressive” offseason this summer, especially with Boston set to enter free agency with nearly $21 million in cap space.
Expect the Bruins’ first tasks this offseason to be resolving internal issues, such as Jeremy Swayman’s upcoming contract, as well as determining the futures of Linus Ullmark and Jake DeBrusk.
But when it comes to allocating a sizable portion of Boston’s remaining cap space, it’s almost a given that the Bruins will be aggressive in adding another center to their lineup, whether through free agency or via trade.
Speaking on his latest “32 Thoughts” podcast with co-host Jeff Marek, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman offered two potential targets for the Bruins as they prepare for a busy offseason.
“We talked about Elias Lindholm and how he’s a player they liked before he was traded to Vancouver,” Friedman said of the Bruins and their expected targets in free agency. “So I hope they catch him if he hits the market. Someone else told me: Include Chandler Stephenson’s name. I think there are a lot of people who expect Stephenson to be on Boston’s radar. People definitely believe that Boston will have a center.
“When the Bruins say they’re going to do something, they tend to do it. And they tend to attract good players because they are generally a very well-run organization. So I think so, whether it’s Lindholm or Stephenson or someone we’re missing right now. “There is definitely a belief that Boston is going to do something here in the middle, like they promised.”
Another top-six center would be a huge boost to Boston’s lineup, with a proven option up the middle that would not only give Boston additional scoring power, but would also push other players further down the depth chart in roles perhaps more suited to your skills.
Pavel Zacha, Charlie Coyle and Morgan Geekie exceeded expectations and thrived in elevated roles last season with Boston. But adding a proven top-six option like Lindholm could allow Coyle to return to his usual spot at third-line center, or push Zacha back to the wing.
As Friedman noted, the Bruins have been linked to Lindholm for the past year, even after the Canucks traded him to a deal with the Flames on Jan. 31. The pending UFA will have a sizable contract as the top center on the open market. – Especially given his profile as an effective two-way pivot.
The 29-year-old forward had a poor season (production-wise) with Calgary and Vancouver, finishing with 44 points in 75 games. But Lindholm has surpassed the 50-point threshold four times in his career, while his defensive play (second in 2021-22 Selke Trophy voting) and faceoff skills (56.4 percent this season) They would be welcome in Boston.
Lindholm may not be a true 1C on a stacked roster, but he’s certainly an upgrade over what the Bruins currently feature on their roster.
Stephenson, like Coyle and Zacha, is a solid top-six option who probably isn’t suited for a front-line role. But that doesn’t mean Stephenson isn’t a productive playmaker with a big motor.
Stephenson has recorded three consecutive 50+ point seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights and recorded 20 points in 22 games during Las Vegas’ run to a Stanley Cup in 2023.
Although Lindholm appears to be the Bruins’ top target in free agency, Stephenson represents a solid contingency plan if the Bruins intend to emerge from free agency with at least one center added to the mix.
Charging…
Keynote USA
For the Latest Sports News, Follow @Keynote USA Sports on Twitter.