BOSTON — The Bruins made two big signings on Monday in a chaotic first day of free agency in the NHL.
Did the additions of center Elias Lindholm (7 years $7.75 million average annual value) and defenseman Nikita Zadorov (six years $5 million AAV) make the Bruins better? Did they pay too much? NHL experts graded the deals on Monday:
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ESPN
ESPN’s Ryan Clark liked both signings. About Lindholm, He wrote:
“In Lindholm, now they get a proven top-six center with two-way ability who fits within the Bruins’ identity of what they want to be in both zones. Does it make sense?
It can, but some of that also depends on how Lindholm performs in the offensive zone. His 46 points between the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks last season was a decline from the 82 he had in 2021-22 and 64 during 2022-23. That said, he still went on to have the best postseason campaign of his career, with five goals and 10 points in 13 games, as the Canucks came within a win of advancing to the Western Conference final.” — Grade: B+
He similarly praised the Zadorov addition. Clark wrote:
“Signing Zadorov gives them that fourth, top-four option. Any team in need of a physically imposing defenseman who can kill penalties while adding more than 20 points per season was going to look at Zadorov. It also means that the Bruins will have continuity going forward with Lindholm, McAvoy and Zadorov all under contract for six years, while Carlo has three years remaining on his current deal. Does it make sense?
Zadorov fills a need, but this deal comes with the question of what version of Zadorov will the Bruins get? There’s no denying Zadorov is a legitimate top-four option. But if he can be the version that helped the Canucks come within a game of the Western Conference finals, that’s going to make the Bruins an even harder team to play against because they’ll have a 6-foot-5 marauding defenseman who delivers hits, scores goals, kills penalties and can be trusted in key minutes to close out important games.”
The Athletic
The Athletic’s Eric Duhatschek was even more positive about the moves:
“Lindholm salvaged a mediocre regular season, divided between the Flames and Canucks, with an excellent playoffs for Vancouver, which is also something the other Bruins addition, Nikita Zadorov, did as well.”
Contract grade for Lindholm: A, Contract grade for Zadorov: B+ Fits grade: A+
Bleacher Report
Bleacher Report only graded the Lindholm deal, but they liked it.
“The Bruins were frequently linked to Lindholm last season because of their need for depth at center. Despite his struggles, he remains a skillful forward who has exceeded the 40-point plateau every season since 2016-17. His addition will improve the Bruins’ defensive game, enabling them to move Pavel Zacha to the wing where he’s more comfortable.
Lindholm has proven himself to be a productive two-way forward with three different teams in his NHL career. At 29, he’s still in his playing prime and should be a solid long-term fit for the Bruins as they strive to remain among the NHL’s elite teams.— Grade: A
The Sporting News
TSN only graded the Lindholm deal too:
“The Bruins finally have their Patrice Bergeron replacement. Boston signed center Elias Lindholm to give the team its newest No. 1 center. Lindholm spent time with both the Flames and Canucks last season, and didn’t really fit in with Vancouver. He should slide in nicely on the top line for the Bruins, who were weak down the middle last season.” — Grade: B+
