Elias Lindholm trade offer rejected right before move to Vancouver!

Last week, the Vancouver Canucks managed to get their hands on top forward Elias Lindholm in a monster trade with the Calgary Flames. Lindholm, who is a pending free agent, got the Flames a significant package in return, which includes forward Andrei Kuzmenko, Vancouver’s first-round pick and a conditional fourth-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft, and defenseman prospects Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo. The Canucks do hope to sign Lindholm long-term, but still pull the trigger on the trade without an extension included.

The New York Rangers have been looking at different options on the trade market for a boost up front, and it is believed that they made the moves on Lindholm. But, according to Darren Dreger, complications got in the way and the Blue Shirts lost out on the star forward. Here is how Dreger explained it on last night’s edition of Insider Trading on TSN, stating that their reluctance to part with their first-round pick in 2024 is getting in the way:

“ The New York Rangers would like to add a forward. I’m told that they did make an offer [for] Elias Lindholm, formerly of the Calgary Flames, now [with] the Vancouver Canucks. But that offer clearly wasn’t accepted. James Dolan, the owner of the New York Rangers, wants to protect the 2024 first-round pick so that the Rangers can be part of the spotlight at the draft and The Sphere. Because Dolan is also the owner of The Sphere in [Las] Vegas. Doesn’t mean that [general manager] Chris Drury can’t use another first-round pick – maybe in 2025 or acquire one. But, the Rangers want to be part of the spectacle in Vegas.”

It was also reported, this time by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman last week, that the Boston Bruins came close to acquiring Lindholm, but ended up backing out because of the lack of talks for a contract extension.

The Canucks have admitted they will attempt to re-sign Lindholm before the opening of free agency, though it will be something to keep an eye on, especially in Boston, if ever the star forward does become a free agent.

Should we add the Rangers to the list as well?

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