Elias Lindholm is going into the final year of his six-year contract with the Calgary Flames. In recent weeks there have not been many updates on progress between the two sides on an extension. Now NHL insider Elliotte Friedman was finally able to provide some information on the process. <h2>Friedman Joins NHL Network Show</h2> Elliotte Friedman recently joined a segment on NHL Network to discuss various news items from around the NHL. One of the topics to come up was the impending free agency of Elias Lindholm. According to Friedman Lindholm is looking to make more than another recently signed star center. <q>Friedman on NHL Network: «I really thought Horvat was going to be the comparable at 8x8.5, and I think it's possible Lindholm now actually comes in higher than that, potentially I think the number is going to have to be above Horvat, I've heard it might be closer to 8.75 or 9»</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/nhl_watcher/status/1699485445862699120?s=46&t=o-Q0QckAboRGrsPBT1vFrQ&fbclid=IwAR3bNlwOiPgHB5qBS-I9Ky1JEgMITMZ7gDLx_XmZ_U-BFjBZvV6MkShNedg'> </a></blockquote></div> According to this report, Elias Lindholm is looking to make nearly 9 million dollars on his next contract. This is more than Bo Horvat who is of a similar age and production. Now the Flames have a crucial decision to make regarding Lindholm. 8 years at 9 million per is a significant investment. <h2>Can Calgary Lock Up Lindholm?</h2> With these terms, Lindholm would be locked into a contract until his age 36 season. The Calgary Flames last season was a disappointment by everyone's standards. They missed the playoffs and their new additions underperformed. With this in mind if the Flames struggle again are they truly still in contention with the core? If the Flames sign Lindholm now and are not good that means they have locked in a 29-year-old forward who has not helped their team succeed in a long term deal. This would be a tough contract to move on from once it is signed. With all of this in mind a wait-and-see approach might be best from both sides. If the team does well with Lindholm playing well an extension would make sense. If the team struggles, however, trading Lindholm might be the smarter and better option for all parties involved.