Hampus Lindholm didn't jet back to California when Sweden crashed out of the World Cup of Hockey. He headed straight home, and will remain there until he has a contract.
Lindholm's agent, Claude Lemieux, confirmed Thursday that his client will not attend training camp until he signs a new deal with the Anaheim Ducks.
"Our plan is to report to the team once we have a contract signed," Lemieux told Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register. "Until then Hampus is training in Sweden."
The 22-year-old restricted free-agent defender and the Ducks are both believed to covet a long-term pact, but there's reportedly a significant gap between Lindholm's ask and what the budget club is willing to commit.
Several blue-liners in Lindholm's class have signed long-term agreements this summer, offering easy comparables. Those deals range from the $5-million annual salary Toronto Maple Leafs defender Morgan Rielly fetched on a long-term contract to the $7.5 million Aaron Ekblad will pull in each season for the next eight years.
