Elias Lindholm claps back against Hurricanes with the taunt of the year

Thanks to a blockbuster offseason trade, games between the Flames and Hurricanes will always be must-see matchups. On Sunday, all of the NHLers involved in the trade gave plenty of reason as to why – and none more so than Elias Lindholm.

A draft day deal saw the Flames send Dougie Hamilton, Micheal Ferland, and Adam Fox to the Hurricanes for Lindholm and Noah Hanifin. The early returns – 50-some games into the season – heavily favour the Flames: not only has Lindholm completely demolished his career high in points (from 45 with Carolina to 60 with the Flames… and counting), but Hanifin is on pace for a career year, as well.

In fact, Lindholm’s addition to Calgary is likely one of the biggest reasons the team is second in the NHL.

But that isn’t to say Hamilton and Ferland are slouches, either. In a 4-3 Flames victory, the four players were involved in five of the seven goals (and the other two involved Derek Ryan, who left Carolina for Calgary in free agency).

The best theatrics, though, may have come at the very end.

The Hurricanes have been noted for their unique home ice victory celebrations this season. It’s been a lot of fun for the team and their fans – but it did leave them open to a little mocking. By, say, Lindholm himself.

The Skol clap has been a big part of the Hurricanes’ celebrations, often leading into something else unique entirely. After playing in Carolina as an away player for the first time in his career, getting booed all the while helping his team pick up the two points, he was definitely feeling it.

I think it’s safe to say that, after this move in particular, the Flames won the trade – and they’re blessed to have Lindholm still signed for another five seasons after this one.