Lindholm Joining ‘Winning’ Bruins Team

Unlike his new Boston Bruins teammates, Par Lindholm isn’t entering the 2019-20 season with heartbreak on his mind. Lindholm finished the season with the Winnipeg Jets, losing in the first round to the eventual champion St. Louis Blues. Entering just his second NHL season, Lindholm will experience something new with the Bruins.

He knows the Bruins organization a bit from the outside. Lindholm played 61 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs prior to a trade on deadline day to Winnipeg last winter. He’s never played here, however. All Lindholm knows about Boston and the Bruins is the reputation that they have around the league and it’s apparently a good one.

“A winning team, for sure,” Lindholm said when asked what kind of team he thinks he is joining. “Went to the finals last year, were really close to winning so its a good team, a lot of players whose been around a long time and knows what is needed to make things happen.”

Lindholm will have to compete to make the Bruin roster. He’s got talent and speed but will be competing with some strong prospects like Jack Studnicka and Trent Frederic. One thing that will work in Lindholm’s favor? His style of play.

“I think I’m solid, especially defensively,” began Lindholm.

Playing strong two-way hockey will help his case, it is something coach Bruce Cassidy appreciates. To survive in today’s game, however, you need to provide at least some offense.

“I think I have a lot of offense too. I haven’t shown that the last year but I know it’s there and hopefully I make things happen this year,” Lindholm added.

He managed only 13 points, just 1 goal, in 65 NHL games a season ago. Lindholm is right to say the offense wasn’t shown last season, but he also has a case that he has more to give. Lindholm tallied 18 goals in the SHL for Skelleftea in 2017-18.

He’ll bring his speedy two-way game to the table in camp later this week. Like so many other hopefuls, he has a real chance to make the team as a depth forward. Lindholm believes he is joining a good, winning team and that his style will be a fit. After losing depth pieces like Marcus Johansson and Noel Acciari, Don Sweeney and company hope that is, in fact, the case.