A fan favourite has been traded away from the Vancouver Canucks after a season full of ups and downs.
Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin announced that the club has acquired forward Elias Lindholm from the Calgary Flames in exchange for Andrei Kuzmenko, Hunter Brzustewicz, Joni Jurmo, a first-round pick, and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
“First of all, I want to thank Kuzy for all that he did for the Vancouver Canucks. Andrei worked hard at improving his game and trying to adjust to life as a pro in North America,” said Allvin.
“In acquiring Elias Lindholm we feel that he vastly improves our hockey team. He is a proven front line performer and will give head coach Rick Tocchet some more options when putting together our top two lines.”
Lindholm, 29, has played 49 games with the Flames this season, amassing 32 points (9 goals, 23 assists) and 21 penalty minutes. Standing at 6’1” and weighing 202 pounds, the forward earned the alternate captaincy for Calgary this season and led all Flames forwards in average time on ice per game with 20:45. Following a strong season start, Lindholm is poised to make his NHL All-Star debut in Toronto this weekend.
Throughout his 792 career regular-season NHL games, split between Calgary and Carolina, Lindholm has accumulated 545 points (212 goals, 333 assists), 197 penalty minutes, and a +21 plus/minus rating. Hailing from Boden, Sweden, he has also participated in 27 playoff games, recording 17 points (8 goals, 9 assists) and 12 penalty minutes.
On the international stage, Lindholm has represented Team Sweden on multiple occasions, clinching a gold medal in the 2017 World Championships and two silver medals in the 2013 and 2014 World Junior Championships.
Initially drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes as the fifth overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Lindholm brings a wealth of experience and skill to the Vancouver Canucks roster.
Kuzmenko, earning $5.5 million this season and the next, has struggled to find the back of the net since Christmas, with only two assists in January, despite ample opportunities playing alongside Pettersson.
Through this deal, the Canucks have cleared a half-million from their cap space.
This marks the second trade between the longtime Pacific Division rivals, following the Canucks’ acquisition of Nikita Zadorov from the Flames at the end of November.
