By: Ryan Bosworth | Follow me on Twitter / X @RyanJBosworth
The Boston Bruins took a chance on Swedish center Elias Lindholm in July of last year when they signed him to a 7-year, $54.25 million contract in free agency. With many fans excited for a strong, two-way center to be back in the Bruins’ line-up, expectations for Lindholm’s game were high. Needless to say, he didn’t exactly exceed expectations.
Elias came out of the gates buzzing, posting 2-3–5 numbers in his first three games in the Spoked B. But after that hot start, his production slowed down significantly. He went scoreless for seven straight games before picking up a lone assist in an 8–2 blowout loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in late October. From there, his offense remained inconsistent, and his goal scoring was even more sparse, as over a month passed between his second and third goals.
In terms of numbers for the Boden, Sweden native, it’s been a pretty middle-of-the-road year. Posting 16-27-43 numbers through 78 games played, it isn’t the lowest year points-wise, but it also isn’t his best. His best came in the 2021-22 season with the Calgary Flames, posting 42-40-82 numbers in 82 games played.
After a bumpy start, former bench boss Jim Montgomery shifted Lindholm from first-line center to second-line center, putting him in between former captain Brad Marchand and a rotating right winger. When interim head coach Joe Sacco took over, we saw Lindholm fall to third-line center, slotting between another set of rotating wingers.
General manager Don Sweeney didn’t sign Lindholm to produce 90-100 points a season, but he also didn’t sign him to play third-line minutes. He signed him to play smart, strong two-way hockey – something this team was lacking when both Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci hung up the skates back in July of 2023. For the majority of the 2024-25 season, we weren’t seeing that from the 30-year-old.
What we did see this season—and arguably the most encouraging development for the Bruins—was the emergence of David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie as a dynamic duo. Their chemistry on the ice has only grown, and they’ve been a force regardless of who’s been centering their line. Most recently, they each put up five points in a dominant 5–1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
Lindholm would be slotted in between Geekie and Pastrnak versus Carolina and would find himself on the score sheet three times, posting 1-2-3 numbers against his former club. Solid, two-way play from the center would carry over into their match-up versus Buffalo the next day, which saw continued success from the new trio despite falling to the Sabres 6-3.
Geekie, Lindholm, and Pastrnak would remain together for their tilt against New Jersey last night, which saw a dominant 7-2 victory for the Black and Gold. Lindholm didn’t factor into the goal sheet, but his play was effective and what you need from a play-making centerman, as he forced turnovers and created offense throughout three zones.
While it remains to be seen how their chemistry will translate into the 2025–26 campaign, it’s encouraging that Pastrnak and Lindholm were able to begin developing a connection—and that the coaching staff has recognized it by keeping them together. Boston has been searching for a true first line, and while it’s still early, there are signs that one may finally be coming together.
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