Hampus Lindholm said he was fine, but his play on the ice in seven games against the Florida Panthers said otherwise.
He did not join Sweden for the IIHF World Championship in Finland and Latvia. Sweden is one point back of the U.S. in the Group A standings.
The 29-year-old told the Stockholm newspaper Aftonbladet that he had played through a broken foot: “I found out this morning that I have been playing with a fracture in one foot for the past month."
He downplayed anything he might have dealt with during breakup day at Warrior Ice Arena two weeks ago: "I'd say I was fine. Everyone has bumps and bruises this time of year."
Lindholm was a rock on the blue line for the Bruins during the regular season.
He had the second-most productive year of his career with 10 goals (tying the second-most in his career) and 43 assists for 53 points. The latter two blew his previous career bests out of the water. It was his best season best since 2017-18 with the Anaheim Ducks (13g, 18a). That year was his fifth in the NHL and the last time Anaheim qualified for the playoffs.
Five years later and now more than a decade into his NHL career, Lindholm was once again bound for the playoffs on the best regular season team in history. His play as a bonafide, two-way, top-pair-caliber defenseman put him into consideration for the Norris Trophy, working as a one-man breakout with his skating and vision. His confidence in the offensive zone shined under Jim Montgomery's system with defensemen allowed to activate, and he was up to the task in the defensive zone.
"Obviously, coming out and having a better season than I had this year, I think I haven't reached my ceiling yet," Lindholm said. "I think I have a lot of hockey left in me. I feel like this is the first year I really got to showcase what I can be as a player. I think that’s something that I’m going to learn from the playoffs and the end of the season that didn’t really end the way we want, and really have it feed into the future next season, and all that comes with that.”
The Bruins dominated with No. 27 on the ice at 5-on-5, outscoring the opposition, 76-36 (67.9 percent). High-danger goals favored Boston, 40-20 (66.67), according to Natural Stat Trick. Boston had an expected goals-for rate of 68.24 and an expected goals-against of 53.84. Shot attempts (53.36 percent), shots on goal (54.63), scoring chances (56.11) and high-danger chances (54.58) were all well in the B's favor in Lindholm's 1381:37 of 5-on-5 play over 80 games.
Lindholm and Brandon Carlo made Boston's most consistent defensive pair. With the blue-line carousel in full effect after the trade deadline added Dmitry Orlov to an already strong blueline, if Lindholm and Carlo were in the lineup, you knew they would be paired together. They were the only defensive pair that didn't change in the seven-game series against Florida.
In 649:16 of Lindholm-Carlo together at 5-on-5, the Bruins outscored opponents, 34-18 (65.38 percent), again vastly outperforming their expected goals-for (28.45) and against (24.05). Although slightly below Lindholm's individual numbers, Boston still out-attempted (51.87 percent), outshot (54.02) and out-chanced opposing teams (55.65) with Lindholm-Carlo out there. High-danger goals went their way as well, 123-113 (52.12).
Lindholm was seen sporting a walking boot and did not play on March 12 against the Detroit Red Wings after blocking a shot against the Wings the day before. He sat out March 26 against Carolina with what was labeled a "nagging" issue.
In 16 games to close the regular season, the Bruins still had at least a 53 percent share of attempts, shots and scoring chances with Lindholm on at 5-on-5. Boston had a 12-5 goal margin (6-4, high-danger), even if high-danger chances favored opponents, slightly (49-46). The Lindholm-Carlo pair was still strong, too, as Boston had a 7-3 goal differential with attempts, shots, scoring chances and high-danger looks favoring the Bruins.
It was a completely different story in the playoffs as the Bruins fizzled out.
Lindholm's underlying numbers remained sparkling at 5-on-5. The B's outscored the Cats, 6-3, while holding significant advantages (near or above 60 percent) in attempts, shots, chances and high-danger opportunities. The pair with Carlo maintained its strong metrics as well.
But unlike the regular season, this was where the eye test completely diverted from the data. Lindholm was clearly not himself. He was not as assertive in the offensive as he had been in the regular season, overpassing, giving up shooting opportunities from the point. There was one such instance in Game 7 where he opted to fire it on goal – much to the delight of the folks screaming "shoooooot" in the balcony – only for it to ricochet off the pads blocking it in front of him.
There was the delay of game penalty in Game 6, which gave Florida the opportunity to draw even it immediately after Jake DeBrusk scored a go-ahead goal. It was a clear sign something was amiss. It was atypical to see Lindholm not skate the puck out, and he shanked it out of play without any Panthers applying pressure.
As the series wore on Matthew Tkachuk dominated Boston. The Panthers had the highest expected goals-rate (59.34 percent) with Tkachuk on against Lindholm, the highest of any Florida regular.
"Everyone can be smart looking back, going through shift after shift," Lindholm said. "If you want to win in playoffs, you have to find ways to shut down the other team. We did score a lot of goals in some games. Enough goals to win a hockey game. I think there’s definitely something there to keep the puck out of our net. Kind of like keeping the momentum too. It’s not always about the goals. ... I think Games 3 and 4, we didn't play the sexiest game, but we played a winning type of game if we could've kept a little more of that style.
"It might look boring, but you don’t really feed into the energy of the other team. Keep the momentum on your side. I think that’s something we got away from a little bit there in Games 6 and 7.”
It just wasn't clicking for Lindholm who took 18 hits (third-most among B's defenseman) and coughed up four giveaways (that he was officially credited for) in the postseason, and it turned out he was clearly compromised.
He was the only Bruins skater who played in all seven games to fail to register a point.
“It’s hard to point a finger at what exactly ... we got away from our game a little, but I think that’s something we can learn from, and I think it’s human," he said. "There’s going to be struggles in playoffs and all year. I think it’s going to be more of how quick you can get back out. I think we didn't get back to our game quick enough.”
Still, Lindholm didn't want to give himself a free pass, injury or not.
"There’s no excuses on that stuff," he said. "I think even if you were to have something linger — like we had guys play through stuff. It’s just that time of year. You try to find ways. We couldn’t really do that this year.”
Bruins' key offseason dates
NHL Scouting Combine – Sunday, June 4
Not a ton of intrigue here, unless you're interested in seeing how high Adam Fantilli or Leo Carlsson's verticals are... Still, there's always a prospect who is a physical freak or one who can't do a pull-up. There's always the debate of if it really matters, see Sam Bennett's playoff run. He, along with Casey Mittelstadt (blossoming into an impactful producer in Buffalo), couldn't do a pull-up. Sticking on the Florida train, Aaron Ekblad and Sam Reinhart had "bad" combines with Bennett in 2014. Now, all three are enjoying good careers and in the Eastern Conference final. Still, the combine is a key chance for teams to interview prospects.
NHL Awards – Monday, June 26
Could be a big night for the Bruins. David Pastrnak (Hart, Ted Lindsay), Linus Ullmark (Vezina), Patrice Bergeron (Selke) and Jim Montgomery (Jack Adams) are all up for major individual regular-season hardware.
NHL Entry Draft – Wednesday, June 28 & Thursday, June 29
Where the intrigue of the offseason really begins. Wednesday's first round will be Connor Bedard Day in Chicago, and there's always the possibility of big blockbuster moves – perhaps an Erik Karlsson trade? The Bruins might be searching for a way back into the first or second round.
Free agency begins – Saturday, July 1
The drama and intrigue continue. Not the best class of free agents this year, but there as always there are names to watch. Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko are among this year's headliners.
Development camp – Monday, July 3 through Friday, July 7
Always fun to get a look at what Boston has in the system and the undrafted invites. Will be even more interesting if the B's trade up for a player.
Rookie camp (Buffalo) – Wednesday, Sept. 13 through Monday, Sept. 18
Falls in line with the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo. Always feels like an extension of development camp, just with actual game action instead of scrimmages. The unofficial signal that a new season is near as captain's practices start up elsewhere.
Training camp begins – Wednesday, Sept. 20
The 2023-24 season unofficially arrives. The Bruins could look much different in just a few months.
Instant classic between Florida and Carolina kicks off Sun Belt conference finals
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final went down as the sixth-longest playoff game in NHL history, nearly lasting four full overtimes. Of course, Tkachuk scored the winner. Brandon Montour played nearly an hour of action (57 minutes and change of time on ice).
Quite the start to a semifinal round featuring Florida, Carolina, Vegas and Dallas. That's as non-traditional as markets can get (you know Leafs fans and other eliminated Canadian fanbases are loathing this). Have to wonder if there are young fans in the southeast glad that their parents let them stay up late to watch the Hurricanes and Panthers do battle.
There are still plenty of compelling storylines. All four coaches are each in search of his first Stanley Cup. There's an "old guy without a Cup" everywhere you look, whether it's Joe Pavelski (Dallas), Brent Burns (Carolina) and Marc Staal (Florida, maybe even Sergei Bobrovsky, too). There's Bruce Cassidy advancing after the Bruins were unceremoniously bounced. He's facing Pete DeBoer, the man he took over for in Vegas. The Golden Knights are going against a coach and system they should know inside and out.
Not to mention all four teams have been rolling through the playoffs for the most part, even if Dallas took seven games to dispose of Seattle.
Kyle Dubas out in Toronto
Fascinating situation around the Maple Leafs right now. Now former general manager Kyle Dubas was due a new contract, and after Toronto slayed its first-round dragon, it seemed destined that the two sides would reach an agreement. The Leafs' playoff struggles threw it all into question, but Elliotte Friedman was among those to report that things still looked good for Dubas in Toronto.
The ball very much felt as if it were in Dubas' court following his season-ending media availability. He said he needed to take time with his family to decide on his future after a taxing year, but it would be Leafs or bust.
Well bust came around on Friday when Toronto cut ties with Dubas.
Based on Brendan Shanahan's availability, the timeline of events seems to be: Dubas says he needs time to process on Monday; Dubas emails Shanahan on Thursday saying he wants to re-sign; Dubas' agent also asks for more money; the Leafs fire Dubas.
Shanahan "wouldn't characterize it as breaking down over money," but did say, "At that point, if I'm being honest, I had gotten to a different place about how I felt about the future of the Toronto Maple Leafs and what was best.”
Quite the heel-turn from all involved.
“This was my ultimately my decision,” Shanahan said.
So, where do the Leafs go from here?
Is this year's playoff oust on Dubas? It's hard to say it is. He was among the frontrunners of the arms race in the East, adding Ryan O'Reilly, Jake McCabe, Sam Lafferty, Luke Schenn, Erik Gustafsson and Noel Acciari. Like the Bruins, Toronto was all-in.
“I think Kyle did an excellent job,” Shanahan said. “He made some very good moves, and I thought he had prepared the team to the best of his ability as any GM can do. After the trade deadline, there’s not as much for a GM to do.”
There's a somewhat rule of thumb that a general manager gets three coaches before the ax comes for them. Dubas essentially got one and a half, inheriting Mike Babcock before eventually hiring Sheldon Keefe.
There's potential long-term ramifications. Auston Matthews is entering the final year of his contract. All reports out there indicated that Matthews was very comfortable with Dubas. A full no-move clause kicks in on July 1. Will they let him have all the power and risk losing him for nothing if there's no extension?
A lot at play.
What now for the Coyotes?
Another fascinating situation is yet another situation involving the Coyotes. They lost the vote in Tempe for a new arena development. Now, they're stuck at Mullett Arena at Arizona State with no new contingency plans.
Do they somehow latch onto the Phoenix Suns and pay rent to use the arena? Do they move? If so, how soon? Winnipeg's move from Atlanta to Manitoba was confirmed on May 20, 2011. The Jets began play in Winnipeg the following season. There's still time for a move for as soon as next season if relocation becomes the chosen route.
But where to? There are obvious cries for Quebec City or Hartfrod. They have pro rinks already, although I doubt the XL Center in Hartford is suitable for NHL hockey in its current state.
Some other U.S. markets that have gained traction on the "32 Thoughts" podcast are Sacramento, Salt Lake City and Kansas City. Houston has frequently been in the mix of relocation and expansion talk, too.
The Coyotes have been Gary Bettman's baby for nearly 30 years, rightly or wrongly. Hard to imagine the league leaving Arizona without a fight (once again).
