September 21, 2023 | 8:02pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

LINDHOLM FOCUSING ON SEASON AS CONTRACT TALKS WANE

Elias Lindholm, centre

Elias Lindholm is preparing to play this season without a contract extension and appears to be concentrating on helping his team win and gelling with new linemate Jonathan Huberdeau.

Contract talks between the Calgary Flames and Lindholm’s camp have not progressed overly positively and a decent financial gap between the two parties seems to remain.

Lindholm and the Flames have been trying to work towards an eight-year extension. In early-August, TFP’s David Pagnotta first reported during his appearance on NHL Network that Lindholm is looking for around or just over $9 million per season.

“We talked early on in the summer and that was the last time we talked. There hasn’t been much,” Lindholm told reporters on Thursday.

“I’ve been pretty clear about it. I’m not the only guy in this position, with one-year left on my contract. It’s a big decision for both parts and it’ll take time.”

Lindholm, who turns 29 in December, is willing to let contract negotiations carry into the season if a deal isn’t reached during training camp but would not put a deadline on when talks might end.

“It’ll be handled when there will be time for that,” he said. “For now, I’m just focusing on the season and trying to make the most of it and try and help this team win as many games as possible.

“I’ve been clear with what I want and obviously there’s a lot of parts that play into it. I’m going to leave it at that.”

Lindholm has started camp with playing alongside Huberdeau and is welcoming the opportunity to build chemistry with the left winger who put up 115 points in 2021-22.

“Usually when you play with a guy like that, for myself, it’s easy,” Lindholm said. “We only played a couple games last year. So far, I like playing with Huby.”