What kind of upside does Elias Lindholm have in fantasy hockey?

As far as fantasy hockey goes, playing for the Carolina Hurricanes these days is tantamount to suiting up for the Alaska Aces… meaning you won’t find too many players from either teams patrolling the squads of your competitors. This is an organization that doesn’t score many goals and doesn’t stop many pucks either, making leagues that count plus/minus even more fearful of the Hurricane logo. However, outside of Justin Faulk and Eric Staal there is another player that should be on the hearts and minds of fantasy GM’s…. Elias Lindholm.

Coming from the hockey-mad country of Sweden, Lindholm has found a home in the thick, hot southern air of Raleigh, North Carolina. Unlike most prospects, he stepped right off the plane for his first NHL training camp as an 18-year-old and has never left. The 20-year-old centre/right winger has produced admirably in his brief time in the NHL and has shown glimpses of the elite talent that garnered him a fifth overall selection in the 2013 draft.

Looking at the data compiled from Dobber’s Frozen Pool Line Combo Tool we can see that during the 2013-14 season – as a raw-rookie – Lindholm played most of his five-on-five time partnered with fellow youngster, Jeff Skinner.

2013-2014

Over 60% of Lindholm’s even strength playing time was spent with Skinner, and 15 of his 21 total points were scored while he and Skinner were on the ice together, both at even strength and on the power play. 

Last season, Lindholm saw a bump in both production and time on the ice. He spent the majority of his even strength play lining up on the right side of top line centre Eric Staal. While playing with eldest Staal brother, Lindholm produced 22 of his 39 total points, showcasing his quick hands, high hockey IQ and strong playmaking ability. Fantasy owners should be salivating at the potential of this young player’s ceiling.

2014-2015

While this season is still very young, it is important to note that Lindholm has continued to play up on the top line next to Eric Staal as well as being afforded HUGE minutes on the power play, averaging 4:14 per game through three games. And while it may be easy to chalk up these great opportunities as being given to the young player due to the rebuilding phase the organization is currently in, he has assuredly earned them. Lindholm has faced tougher competition and fewer ozone starts each year, yet his CorsiRel has improved from -1.8 in 2013-14 to +5.30 in 2014-15, displaying a strong ability to drive puck possession.

What more can we expect from this electric young player? Traditionally players entering their third year will see an uptick in responsibility and production preparing them for their all important fourth season. Playing on the offensively-struggling Hurricanes’ team will no doubt play a role both positively and negatively for Lindholm. While his plus/minus will surely suffer and the risk of becoming too familiar with losing early in one’s career can be threatening, the prime offensive opportunities should lead to him not only eclipsing the 40-point plateau but the 50-point mark as well. 20 goals and 50 points is well within reach for the 20-year-old and a ceiling of 70 points in his prime is conceivable.  

The new core in Carolina is already becoming more clear: Lindholm, Justin Faulk, Noah Hanifin and Eddie Lack appear to be solid building blocks for the future, and as Ron Francis continues to put his mark on the team, we may see more veterans moved out and more youthful players taking their place on the depth chart. Even if that doesn’t occur right away, don’t sleep on the the young Swede who stepped right from the draft floor to the NHL, his brightest days are clearly in front of him.