Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly signing Swedish centre Par Lindholm
The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly bringing in another top international free agent in Swedish centre Par Lindholm.
Before news broke about Lou Lamoriello not returning as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, they were making headlines through the rumour mill. Sportsnet‘s Chris Johnston reported that the team was signing centre Par Lindholm from the SHL.
There are two positions that every NHL team covets more than others; centre and defence, and that’s because they are the toughest positions to find upgrades. This is why most teams take the time to draft and develop players into those roles.
Over the past couple of seasons, the Leafs have taken another approach on top of this, by heavily scouting and recruiting free agents from overseas. Players like Nikita Zaitsev, Andreas Borgman, Calle Rosen and Miro Aaltonen are the most recent examples of players who have come in and make it with the Leafs or Toronto Marlies.
While it is too early to say whether Lindholm can come in and make an immediate impact, the Leafs will be glad to have more competition during training camp.
He played four games with Sweden at the 2018 Winter Olympics and scored a goal. He was a top centre in the SHL with Skellefteå AIK, scoring 18 goals and 29 assists, to total 47 points in 49 games.
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On the Forecheck provided a scouting report on Lindholm, saying that the 26-year-old has the best chance out of most of the Swedish free agents to make the jump to the NHL.
The Leafs don’t necessarily need a scoring centre, rather one who is responsible at both ends of the ice, even though he finished fourth in scoring in the SHL.
While some might see this signing as the end for unrestricted free agents Tyler Bozak and Dominic Moore, it is too early to say whether Lindholm can step in. At the most, he will bring much-needed depth to the lineup that lacks options in the minors who are ready to step in.
It also takes some pressure off the team to overpay for a centre in free agency and possibly keep William Nylander as a winger. At the same time, if the team moves Nylander down the middle, then all they need to do is find a player to play as a fourth line centre.
Next: Time for Kyle Dubas to make his mark
What do you think about the rumoured signing? Do you expect the Leafs to focus their attention on defence? Let us know in the comments below.