Report: Canucks discussed flipping Lindholm amid Guentzel chase

The Vancouver Canucks have discussed trading recently-acquired center Elias Lindholm to the Boston Bruins to facilitate the acquisition of Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel, reports The Athletic's Chris Johnston.

Vancouver sent Andrei Kuzmenko, two prospects, and two picks to the Calgary Flames to acquire Lindholm in a blockbuster trade in January. The pending unrestricted free agent was one of the biggest names available ahead of this year's trade deadline.

Lindholm has managed six points in 14 games since changing teams while averaging nearly 19 minutes per contest. The 29-year-old carries a $4.85-million cap hit, and the Bruins, rumored to be in the market for a center, have only $57,500 in deadline cap space, per CapFriendly.

The Canucks have been linked to Guentzel for the past several weeks, but the market for the two-time 40-goal-scorer is reportedly deep with Stanley Cup contenders. Pittsburgh is reportedly hoping to facilitate a Guentzel deal by Wednesday.

Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin, president Jim Rutherford, and head coach Rick Tocchet all worked with Guentzel during their respective tenures with the Penguins.

Vancouver has $3.375 million in deadline money, meaning Pittsburgh would have to retain salary or the Canucks would have to make a corresponding move to accommodate Guentzel's $6-million cap hit.

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