The Vancouver Canucks, tied with the Boston Bruins for the best record in the NHL, acquired All-Star center Elias Lindholm from the Calgary Flames on Wednesday, giving the Canucks six representatives at the All-Star Game in Toronto this weekend.
In exchange for the 29-year-old Lindholm, the Canucks sent the Flames forward Andrei Kuzmenko, defensemen prospects Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo, and a first- and conditional fourth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
The Swedish Lindholm is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. In 49 games with the Flames, he has nine goals, 23 assists and a career-high 20:44 average ice time this season. Earlier this month, he was named an All-Star for the first time in his career.
The fifth overall pick in the 2013 draft by Carolina, Lindholm has 212 goals and 333 assists for 545 points in 792 career games with the Hurricanes and the Flames.
Kuzmenko, 27, is in his second season in the NHL. After netting 74 points (39 G, 35 A) in 81 games last season, he has 21 points on eight goals and 13 assists in 43 games.
After opening the season 12-3-1, the Canucks have yet to slow down this season. They enter the All-Star break with a 33-11-5 record for a Western Conference-best 71 points.
Lindholm's new teammates who will be joining him in Toronto this weekend are forwards Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser, defenseman Quinn Hughes, and goalkeeper Thatcher Demko. Canucks coach Rick Tocchet will be one of the coaches at the game, as well.
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