Jordan Boutilier: Avs looking at Elias Lindholm?

I think the Avs are the no brainer fit for Lindholm. Unlike Hanifin who only seems to want to eventually sign with the Bruins, the Bruins need Lindholm more than Hanifin but they just dont have the assets to do it. Lindholm wants to win & I truly think his ask will come down significantly for a chance to play with the Avs on a contender for at least the next while. Problem is Jojo still has another year at 4.0 mill, Ritchie, 2024 1st, Olauson (Flames need some D in pipeline). Wonder if Conroy entertains a sign & trade.
Would rather try to center a deal around Byram if Avs have any appetite to trade him.
Or is Girard going to miss too much time to move him?

Lindholm seems like a huge risk. 29 with a down season in a contract year. Looks like Huberdeau 2.0. I would avoid him if I'm Sakic.

I like what you’ve proposed here as a Flames fan. Always loved having Elias here but I think a change of scenery is due. Johansen is a western Canadian that needs a change of scene too. Maybe he and Huby find some chemistry together and both boys win. He’s got a couple years left at a good number and can help with a nice rebuild in CGY. Throw in the futures and everyone wins here. #doit

I dont like the deal. The 1st round pick would be a late one. And JoJo is on the downswing of his career. I also agree the Avs are the perfect fit. JoJo and Lindholm are completely different players. If JoJo cant do it with the Avs, then it wont work in Calgary. He would be nothing more than a $4m throw in. With the Avs saying thank you for taking our garbage.
I would be asking for a 1st and 4th plus a prospect. If there is a sign and trade, then the 4th is elevated.

Usually when rumors are out there that MacFarland/Sakic are up to something it's just that, rumors. They never let their hand be known. Not to mention that after Toews' comments the other night it's fairly obvious that this team isn't gelling and doesn't have the chemistry we'd all hoped for. That's obvious if you watch them on the ice anyhow. Adding someone new to the room probably isn't going to help that.

But supposing there is something to this, then no, Ritchie is a non-starter. Offer Behrens instead. But Lindholm is gone in the summer unless MacFarland really is some kind of sorcerer and can convince him to take less if this team appears to be close to another championship, which honestly, I'm not so sure right now. Plus how do you commit longterm to anyone new when Mikko needs a new deal after next season?

From the Avs side I'd say a hard pass on including Ritchie.

RyJo + D Sean Behrens + RW Oskar Olausson (he's not a defenseman lol, people seem to keep thinking he's Frederick Olausson of 90's and 2000s Avs and Ducks fame)+2024 1st Round Pick and I wouldn't be making the trade for Lindholm, I'd be making it for Kadri with $2.275M retained ($11.375M over life of the contract after this season) + LW Parker Bell.