If and when the Bruins come out of the rut that has marred the beginning of their season, Elias Lindholm might be a giant motive why. He nearly has to.
Boston signed the two-way middle to a seven-year, $54.25 million deal as quickly as NHL free company started in July. The plan was for Lindholm to grow to be the subsequent within the Bruins’ lineage of down-the-middle domination. It hasn’t labored out that means, at the least not but.
The Bruins went 8-8-3 by way of the primary 19 video games of the season, and Lindholm hasn’t but made a big influence. Getting into Monday’s sport towards Columbus, Lindholm had simply two objectives and 7 assists regardless of averaging 18 minutes per evening and enjoying in each sport so far.
Lindholm is unsurprisingly pissed off with the beginning of his Bruins tenure.
“I simply should be extra concerned,” Lindholm informed reporters Sunday, in keeping with The Athletic. “For 60 minutes, I’m not doing an excessive amount of on the market. Simply skating up and down the ice. Acquired to be extra concerned and need the puck extra.”
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Credit score to Lindholm for the trustworthy self-awareness, however it’s additionally barely puzzling as to the way it has gotten so far this early.
A giant motive for the early struggles stems from a perplexing lack of manufacturing between Lindholm and David Pastrnak. Lindholm is simply two seasons faraway from a 42-assist season with Calgary the place he thrived alongside Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau. Pastrnak, who notched at the least 110 factors in every of his final two seasons, ought to have match that position fairly properly on Lindholm’s aspect.
That didn’t work, although, and Bruins coach Jim Montgomery broke up the pair, transferring Lindholm to a line with Justin Brazeau and Brad Marchand.
Lindholm additionally shouldered the blame for not creating extra for his linemates, no matter who was using shotgun with him.
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“It’s onerous for them when your middle that’s presupposed to drive a line just isn’t enjoying adequate,” Lindholm added, per The Athletic. “So long as I’m not getting higher, it’s form of onerous for them.”
Montgomery puzzled whether or not a change of surroundings amid main life modifications — the Lindholms welcomed a brand new child simply earlier than the season — contributed to the early bumps within the roads.
That could possibly be the case. Whatever the motive, the Bruins will want Lindholm working at a better degree in the event that they’re going to dig out of his gap.
