According to reports, Par Lindholm, a 26-year old centre who played last season with Skelleftea AIK in the SHL, has chosen to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs after garnering interesting from at least 20 of the 31 NHL teams.

Par Lindholm to sign with the #leafs, according to Uffe. The 26-year-old centre received considerable NHL interest after a near point-per-game season with Skelleftea. https://t.co/WeYFfOM9eu

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 30, 2018

Swedish Center Par Lindholm to Sign With the Toronto Maple Leafs

The undrafted 26-year old centre scored 18 goals and added 29 assists for 47 points in 49 games in the SHL this season. Lindholm added 28 penalty minutes and was a plus 18. In 16 playoff games, Lindholm scored 6 goals and 5 assists for 11 points, committing 16 penalty minutes and finishing plus-2 for Skelleftea AIK.

According to reports, the 26-year old had interest from the majority of the NHL’s franchises including the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames.

What This Means for the Toronto Maple Leafs

With the possible departure of centres Tyler Bozak, Tomas Plekanec and Dominic Moore to free agency, and no obvious Toronto Marlies centres who are ready to make the jump next season, the Lindholm signing is depth and insurance for a Maple Leafs team that needs it at the position.

The signing is low-risk, high-reward with the Maple Leafs giving a late bloomer a chance to make it on the smaller ice against the best competition in the world.

Lindholm’s skill and hockey IQ are highly thought of, but there is worry about his skating ability and if he can take his skating to the next level to compete in North America.

With Frederik Gauthier and Miro Aaltonen already AHL veterans, Lindholm is in tough to make the Maple Leafs roster but could be a nice fit with the Toronto Marlies for the beginning of next season.

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