BOSTON – Hampus Lindholm has experienced the playoffs in all of its first five NHL seasons. After that, he watched the last three years from the outside.
So when longtime Anaheim Ducks defenders saw an opportunity to sign with a Boston Bruins team that reached the postseason almost every year, he was willing to make a long-term commitment.
“They always have that winning mentality,” Lindholm said Sunday, one day after he was traded to Boston and hours after agreeing to an eight-year, $ 52 million contract extension.
“They find ways to get into the mix and compete,” said Lindholm, a 2012 first-round draft pick who has played his entire career in Anaheim. “I’ve missed it the last three years. There’s nothing more fun. I can only imagine I’m playing in Boston. I’m ready to go into battle.”
A 28-year-old player from Sweden who is embarking on Boston’s number 2 defensive pairing, Lindholm was picked up by the Ducks on Saturday night for a first round draft pick this year and second round 2023 and ’04. Boston also sent defenders John Moore and Urho Vaakanainen to Anaheim.
The move for the top Blueliner on the market toward Monday’s NHL trade deadline strengthens the Browns’ defense as they make a playoff push. Through Saturday’s games, Boston had 81 points, good for fourth place in the Atlantic Division.
“We’re a better team today,” said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. “He has a legitimate top-four resume in the National Hockey League. [He’s] Playoff-tested, still young. He is a really good addition for us.
While Anaheim missed the playoffs three years in a row – concluding a season ago – and is at the pace to make it four in a row, Boston has not pitched since 2016. They reached the Stanley Cup final two years ago for the third time in a decade and won it all in 2011.
But the team finished with the NHL’s best record in 2020 and lost in the second round. Last year, Boston lost again in the second round after injuries weakened them in defense.
“Hopefully we will stay healthy and we will not test the depth,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said Sunday. “Adding hemp was a big part of it.”
Lindholm also aims to remain part of the Bruins defensive core, which includes Charlie McAvoy, who is signed until 2030, and Brandon Carlo, who is suspended until 2027.
“Of course Boston shows who they think of me as a player, a lot of confidence,” Lindholm said. “That’s the dream of most NHL players.”
The No. 6 overall pick in the 2012 draft, Lindholm has five goals and 17 assists in 61 games this season. The 6-foot-4, 216-pound defender has 57 goals and 165 assists in a nine-year NHL career.
Boston also bought small-league defender Kodie Curran in the trade; the ducks will pay half of Lindholm’s salary this season.
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