Carolina Hurricanes Forward Elias Lindholm Will Lead the Team in Scoring This Season
Fresh off signing a $5.4 million two year contract extension, Elias Lindholm is ready to begin his third NHL season. This year he can become the offense leader for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Two summers ago, the then 18 year old Lindholm was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes. The pick was controversial at the time. Playing in the Swedish Elite League as a 17 year old was impressive, but people questioned his ability to adapt to the North American style.
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Lindholm immediately made the jump with varying levels of success. Even though he improved last season, his play was inconsistent. He had nights were he scored 5 points, but then stretches of 7 games without a point.
The second highest scoring forward with 39 points, Lindholm ended the season only behind Eric Staal. He was third in goal scoring, despite shooting 65 fewer shots than Jeff Skinner (18 goals) and 74 fewer than Staal (23 goals). Pocketing goals on 10% of his shots was higher anyone else on the ‘Canes 1st and 2nd lines.
This season, Lindholm should start on the 1st line. Bill Peters has been on record saying he wants a line with Victor Rask and Lindholm flanking Staal. Rask and Lindholm showed the most chemistry out of all Hurricane forwards last season.
“I envision a line at some point, of Eric on the wing with (Victor Rask) and (Elias Lindholm). I think that could be a very good line.”
– Bill Peters
Staal is on a contract year and will me more motivated to produce better than he did last season. Also, with Jordan Staal anchoring the second line, he won’t have to do as much heavy lifting as he did last fall.
The combination of Lindholm, Rask with more experience, and a rejuvenated Staal would make a passable 1st line.
Past history suggests Staal leading the team scoring as the 1st line center. Given his potential departure from Raleigh before March 2016, Lindholm can easily claim the spot of top scorer for the team.
An Eric Staal trade would result in Jordan Staal moving up to center the 1st line with potentially Rask moving to center line two. A newly acquired player from the Staal trade or perhaps Jeff Skinner could be put up front with Jordan and Lindholm. Skinner and the Swede have had a solid partnership when they play with a strong center like Jordan. That would allow for Lindy to be the sole offensive leader for Carolina.
Of course, Lindholm has the ability to be the leading scorer outright even with Eric Staal still in the mix. A wicked wrist shot, sharp passes, and silky hands are rare assets that few hockey players possess, and Lindholm has all of them. His streaky tendencies mean he can score at a scary rate. As last season showed, he can carry the team in games. The potential is certainly there.
The ‘Canes lack a true offensive force, so the scoring race will be close all season, with Eric Staal, Skinner, Justin Faulk, Lindholm, and perhaps Rask or Jordan Staal being in contention. More than likely, all of those guys will finish somewhere between 40-60 points on the season.
Early scoring totals for Lindholm project to be between 50-60 points. Probably fair considering Carolina’s offensive abilities. If his shooting percentage is closer to 15%, his total might end up being greater than 60. Unless there is an offensive explosion by another player, a total 60-65 points would be enough for Elias Lindholm to lead the ‘Canes in scoring.
Lindholm’s 2015-2016 Season Scoring Prediction: 24 goals, 36 assists, 60 points
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