It's no secret that the Calgary Flames will need to to overpay to keep Elias Lindholm on the roster. The contract expected, however, is truly atrocious.

Lindholm's AAV to Start With a Nine?

Per insider Elliotte Friedman, the cost for the Flames to extend center Elias Lindholm will be in the range of $9-Million.

One night in Calgary has convinced me of one thing: the mood among the Flames is much better than last season. Very, very different vibe — in a good way. Mikael Backlund's extension is a great sign, and others are positively reconsidering their futures. But I don't get the sense anything is close, yet. And it's possible Elias Lindholm's number is going to be higher than I initially thought — in the $9-million range.

- Elliotte Friedman

Lindholm is a fantastic player, but he's not an elite first-line center. He put up 64 points last season, and despite his high-end two way game, he fits more the mould of a fringe Ryan O'Reilly than a - say - Aleksandar Barkov.

To pay him $9M would lock the Flames in to an aging core even further - and one of the most expensive ones in the league.

Massive Mistake They May Need to Make

Ultimately, Calgary is a tough sell as a market - their crumbling arena (that will be replaced, but only in a few years), and their brutal winters aren't ideal. They don't have the culture appeal of Toronto or Montreal, and they don't have Connor McDavid to sweeten the deal. A middling western Canadian team is at the bottom of the list for most free agents.

While it would be a disgusting overpay, the Flames may have to make this deal. They can only hope that it ages exceptionally well.