Lindholm’s two-way ability and Zadorov’s size should fill important gaps on Boston’s depth chart.
On Thursday, Don Sweeney was frank when asked about Boston’s top free-agent needs.
“We’d like to deepen the middle of the ice,” Boston’s general manager stated. “So that’s where we’ve been focusing to have those conversations with our group, to say, ‘OK, who would be the guy?’ And maybe make the pitch at the proper time so that we can add a player of that caliber. And we’ll keep looking to strengthen our back end and supplement the guys we have there.”
Given Sweeney’s summer to-do list, it’s no surprise that Boston reportedly strengthened both the center and blue line quickly after NHL free agency began on Monday afternoon.
According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Bruins have signed center Elias Lindholm and defenseman Nikita Zadorov, who will offer defensive depth up top and muscle to the blue line.
According to Chris Johnston of The Athletic, Lindholm’s contract with Boston is for seven years and $7.5 million a season, while Zadorov’s is for six years with a $5 million per cap hit.
Lindholm and Zadorov will play for their third team together, having previously shared a locker room with the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks.
Lindholm has been linked to the Bruins for some time, and the 29-year-old pivot has plenty of appeal as a 200-foot center who can impact the game in a variety of ways.
The Swedish pivot has established himself as one of the game’s best two-way pivots in recent seasons, accumulating four seasons of 50 or more points and placing second in vote for the 2021-22 Selke Trophy as the league’s finest defensive forward.
Lindholm’s baseline productivity declined during the 2023-24 season, particularly after being assigned to the wing with Vancouver. He finished with 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) in 75 games, but improved his performance in the postseason (10 points in 13 games) while dominating faceoffs throughout the year (56.4 percent).
Given his high price tag, there are questions about whether Lindholm is a true top-line center or more of a solid second-line, 200-foot veteran.
However, on Boston’s roster, he will swiftly take over as the team’s primary center, allowing the Bruins to either shift Pavel Zacha to the wing or move Charlie Coyle down the depth chart.
He may be more of a 60-point player, but a full season alongside David Pastrnak might help Lindholm regain the elite scoring touch he shown in 2021-22 with Calgary (42 goals, 82 points).
While Lindholm will be a more sophisticated, two-way player up front for Boston, Zadorov will deliver plenty of welts on the back end.
Zadorov, 29, is already an imposing figure at 6-foot-6 and 248 pounds, and he plays like such.
The Russian-born blueliner is one of the league’s most physical players, having recorded at least 175 hits over six seasons. Zadorov had likely his greatest hockey season for Calgary and Vancouver in 2023-24, collecting six goals and 20 points in 75 games while registering 177 hits and 68 blocks.
He improved his stock during the Canucks’ playoff run, scoring four goals and eight points in 13 games while clearing opposing skaters from Grade-A ice.
Zadorov joins Hampus Lindholm and Mason Lohrei on Boston’s left side of defense, but it’s unclear if the Bruins regard him as a third-pairing regular or a potential top-pairing partner to Charlie McAvoy.
With Lindholm and Zadorov accounting for a combined $12.75 million in cap hits, the Bruins may have to look for more scoring help this offseason, with the most of their remaining camp space presumably going to Jeremy Swayman’s upcoming contract hike.
