The Bruins signed Lindholm to a seven-year, $54.25 million contract on July 1 to be their No. 1 center. That plan has gone sideways.

BRIGHTON– There were big expectations when Elias Lindholm came to Boston. He had big expectations for himself. After signing a seven-year contract worth a total of $54.25 million with the Bruins this offseason–the largest contract the franchise has ever given to an unrestricted free agent– Lindholm was supposed to be the long-term answer at center on the top line that the team has needed since Patrice Bergeron retired.