In a significant NHL trade, the Vancouver Canucks have secured All-Star center Elias Lindholm from the Calgary Flames, enhancing their roster with a player of high caliber as they share the league’s best record with the Boston Bruins. This trade, finalized on Wednesday, boosts the Canucks’ representation at the All-Star Game in Toronto to six players.
The deal sees 29-year-old Lindholm moving to Vancouver in exchange for forward Andrei Kuzmenko, defensive prospects Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo, along with a first-round and a conditional fourth-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Lindholm, set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, has contributed nine goals and 23 assists over 49 games with the Flames, marking a career-high average ice time of 20:44 this season. His performance earned him his first career All-Star selection earlier this month.
Originally drafted fifth overall in the 2013 draft by the Carolina Hurricanes, Lindholm has amassed 212 goals and 333 assists, totaling 545 points across 792 career games with both the Hurricanes and the Flames.
Kuzmenko, 27, is experiencing his second NHL season. Following a debut season with 74 points (39 goals, 35 assists) in 81 games, he has recorded 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in 43 games this season.
The Canucks have maintained their momentum throughout the season, entering the All-Star break with a record of 33-11-5, leading the Western Conference with 71 points.
Lindholm will be joined by Canucks teammates Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, Brock Boeser, defenseman Quinn Hughes, and goalkeeper Thatcher Demko at the All-Star Game in Toronto. Canucks coach Rick Tocchet will also serve as one of the coaches at the event, marking a significant representation for the team at this prestigious weekend.
