Elias Lindholm Not a No. 1 Centre
Welcome to the THW Calgary Flames Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Flames writers.
In today's edition, we have a piece on Elias Lindholm missing Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau and why it means he’s no longer a top-line centre. Also, we look into Nazem Kadri’s turnaround following an abysmal start to the season.
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Flames’ Lindholm Far From Elite Without Tkachuk & Gaudreau
November 21, 2023 by Rupert McDonald
It’s no secret the Calgary Flames have been a below-average hockey team since the departures of Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau. The hope was that Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri would help them to continue having the success they experienced in 2021-22, but as fans know, that has been far from the case.
Making matters worse for the Flames is that since Tkachuk and Gaudreau left, many others have seen a decline in play. Jacob Markstrom has been better this season, but is still far from the Vezina-calibre goaltender he was in 2021-22. Andrew Mangiapane hasn’t been the same offensive threat, either. That said, perhaps the biggest and most surprising downfall of all has been Elias Lindholm’s.
Flames’ Kadri Turning Things Around After Miserable Start
November 22, 2023 by Rupert McDonald
Like many Calgary Flames, Nazem Kadri’s start to the 2023-24 season was very underwhelming. The 33-year-old, who is in just the second year of a seven-year, $49 million contract, had just one assist through his first eight games. Given how poorly the second half of his 2022-23 campaign went, there were questions from many regarding his true desire to be a part of the Flames organization.
Those questions have died down as of late, thanks to Kadri elevating his play over the past 10 games. It all got started in the Heritage Classic, where, despite falling to the Edmonton Oilers, the veteran forward was able to score his first of the season. That started what has been a major hot streak for him, as he has recorded at least a point in eight of 10 games while accumulating three goals and 11 points over that span.