Matt Karash: First chance to see Elias Lindholm on Canes ice - Summerfest next week

At first glance, certainly seems like a deeper and more talented bunch than in years past. That's a step in the right direction. Obviously, all eyes will be on Lindholm.

He will play in sweden this coming year, then a year in the AHL to get used to the smaller ice, then in 3 years Slotted nicely into that 3c position with a Calder runner up finish at years end netting 45pts with a solid +6 rating, maxing out as a Bergeron type player: 60-70pts,good on faceoffs, good plus/minus. All in all- great player

He will play in sweden this coming year, then a year in the AHL to get used to the smaller ice, then in 3 years Slotted nicely into that 3c position with a Calder runner up finish at years end netting 45pts with a solid +6 rating, maxing out as a Bergeron type player: 60-70pts,good on faceoffs, good plus/minus. All in all- great player
- cmpdave

After last season's struggles that saw 3 bottom 6 forward vets let go (Jokinen, Larose, Brent) let go and exactly zero forwards (with 1-way contracts/NHL guarantees) signed this summer, the battle for slots in the bottom 6 is wide open. Based on pedigree and potential alone, Lindholm is the favorite to win the 3rd-line center job. Having not seen him play a full game against even pre-season NHL competition it is speculation at this point, but I would be pretty surprised if he does not stick with the team this season.

I compare him to Brandon Sutter but with more offensive upside. He is not tiny but not so much the big, physical NHL center either. His greatest strength is probably that he really does not have any significant weaknesses. And his description as a battler with good hockey smarts also fits what Sutter was. Ironically, Sutter's role is exactly the hole in the lineup waiting for Lindholm right now. The hopes are much higher long-term, but for 2013-14, I think the Canes would be very happy if Lindholm could hold the job, not be a liability defensively and kick in just a little offense while adjusting to the NHL. Though their style of play is different an interesting comparison from deep in Canes history is when the team plugged 20-year-old Josef Vasicek into the 3C spot in 2000-01 simply because they had no other options. He got the very narrow and simple assignment of being sound defensively and keeping his line from being a liability which he did and helped the team reach the playoffs that year.

I think it's probably 60/40 that he makes the team...and 30/70 he gets the 3rd line ctr. spot! Because of the year Nash had, i suspect he could be more ready for that position! To a lesser degree, Welsh could also step up and win that spot!
I'd bet one of those three will be our 3C!
However, the situation with Skinner is still WAY UP in the air!
Will he play on the 2nd line and be successful, or drop to Ctr. or wing on the 3rd line? The chemistry issue could create several different scenarios!
Dalpe's future is also very cloudy, at the moment! I actually think he could fit well on a 2nd or 3rd line with the likely linemates available...ie Nash, Lindholm, Ruutu, Skinner, Staal-x3
Can't hardly wait to see training camp!!!

I would put it closer to 80/20 that Lindholm is in the top 9 this year, whether it be center or wing. I am a huge fan of him, I wanted them to select him at the 5 spot, and was able to convince my brother the same. Everyone else at the spot seemed like a reach to me. The kid has an absolute motor on him, and his playing style when he matures should be closer to Zetterberg then some of the Backstrom comparisons he gets.

I think lindholm makes the team but he will be the 2nd line rw. With all talk about him able to play rw but would prefer c tells me he is projected to the rw. On top of that skins did well and generally impressed when he played the third line center. This mystery winger is to give skins a scoring threat on the same line. All lines in this case could score and the 2nd line would be the high energy shutdown line for opposing top lines.

Tlusty-staal-semin
Ruutu-staal-lindholm
Dwyer/nash-skins-FA?
Dwyer/westgarth-nash/staal-westgarth/bowman

I like that second line, and now if we can add Jagr to go with skinner on third line we have a pretty scary lineup. Hopefully skinner becomes more of a team player, I really think that is has some what to do with personnel around him. He is very high offensive intelligence and he needs to be surrounded by someone like that. When the Skinner/Staal experiment happened it was when Staal was playing absolutely awful and wouldn't have worked well with anyone. When I watch Skin play I'm tournaments like the IIHF on a line with Tavares you can see the true chemistry. Jordan Staal is offensive but he simplifies his game to much. Of course Skinner needs to work on his game as well and not be so difficult to play with. I think with Jagr on his line it does both of those things.

Still can't believe JR has not brought in a single UFA or trade forward to help round out the top 9. Silly,

That being said (and, well, because of that) Lindholm will be on the team this year. Whether he earns it or not, frankly. He's a top 5 pick. He's cost effective. And the Canes need warm/capable bodies to round out the 2nd and 3rd line. Lindholm is staying and playing. Depending on how he does in preseason, he could either be a second line wing, 3rd line center or 3rd line wing. My guess is that he plays on the 3rd line with Skinner and either Nash/Dalpe/Bowman/Jagr. Dwyer will start off on the 2nd line with Jordan and Ruutu.