MAJOR | The Canucks reason for shopping Elias Lindholm exposed?

The Canucks pulled one of the most significant moves of this year's deadline when they acquired Elias Lindholm during the NHL All-Star Break. A month before the deadline would give them plenty of time to adjust and see what the team's subsequent acquisition would be.

Unfortunately, Lindholm (who typically plays centre), has just two assists over his past 10 games and just four goals total in a Canucks uniform. Rick Dhaliwhal suggested that the Canucks do not think the Swede is suited for the wing. This leaves the team in an awkward and less flexible position given his lack of production.

He has recently been skating down the middle on the third line, playing under 18 minutes in each of the past five games. He's recorded just one shot or less in all of the past 10 games but one.



Lindholm, 29, is a UFA at the end of this season. He has 39 points in 65 games this season after five-straight seasons of playing at a 60+ point pace.



It appears as thought Elias Lindholm simply has not fit in with the Canucks and both sides are seeming to agree that it has been a failed experiment thus far. Whether Lindholm can turn his play around is to be determined, but if he continues this level of production, both sides will likely be happy to move on.



At this point, it seems pretty clear as to where this relationship is headed.