Boston Bruins become favorite to land top free agent when free agency opens

This summer, the Boston Bruins want to improve their middle of the ice depth. The retirement of veteran Bruins David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron has left a gap on the depth chart. With career years under their belts in Morgan Geekie, Charlie Coyle, and Pavel Zacha, the team's depth at center ice performed excellently this season. Don Sweeney, general manager, is still hoping to bolster the position with a long-term goal that is said to be their top pick.

Awaiting UFA During the trade deadline, Elias Lindholm was connected to the Bruins, but a deal never happened. Boston is still very interested in Lindholm, and if he becomes available on July 1st, the team is anticipated to go after him.

On a recent appearance on Oilers Noe Elliotte Friedman revealed that he believes Boston are the front runner to land the Swedish native.

In February, Lindholm was dealt to the Vancouver Canucks by the Calgary Flames. During the regular season, his output was average for the player he is. In just 26 games, Lindholm managed just 6 goals and 12 points, showing that the 29-year-old still has trouble fitting into the starting lineup. With five goals and ten points in 13 games during Vancouver's playoff run, he had a far greater impact. Vancouver would lose to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the conference semifinals.

His exit from Vancouver is more plausible now that the team is struggling financially and needs to focus on other roster requirements.

Without a doubt, Lindholm will succeed wherever he goes. He is ranked as the second-best centerman in the upcoming free agent class, behind only Steven Stamkos. The six-year, $29.1 million deal Lindholm inked with the Flames in 2018 came to an end. He will attempt to move up into the $8M bracket after being on a great $4.85M AAV.

Source: Blade of Steel
Elias Lindholm Appears To Be Heading To Free Agency With A Frontrunner Revealed