The Vancouver Canucks have acquired Elias Lindholm from Calgary for a package of Andrei Kuzmenko, two prospects, a 2024 First Round pick, and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2024.
The two prospects are former third-round picks.
Adam Rotter: That is quite a package for Lindholm . Kuzmenko, 26, wanted out of Vancouver and had 74 points in 81 games last season but only 21 points in 43 games this season. He’s an offensive player who is 27 and only in his second NHL season after spending most of his career in the AHL. Vancouver is having a great season and they are going for it. They were willing to pay five assets to jump the line and get the guy they wanted.
The Rangers equivalent would probably have been Kaapo Kakko, Drew Fortescue (3rd round in 2023), Matthew Robertson (2nd round in 2019), the first-round pick, and their fourth-round pick in 2023. It’s a lot for a rental and one that would have been their third-line center.
If Lindholm was the top guy on the Rangers list then it will be interesting to see who is the new top guy. It will also be interesting to see if this pushes other teams looking at centers to try and jump the line on Adam Henrique or Sean Monahan to make sure they get the guy they want. Last year Vancouver traded Bo Horvat at this exact time and the next big trade was the Rangers getting Vladimir Tarasenko on 2/9 and the next for a center was Ryan O’Reilly on 2/17.