Elias Lindholm was not surprised to be traded to the Calgary Flames Saturday after contract talks stalled between the restricted free agent and the Carolina Hurricanes.

Now, the newly acquired centre is hoping negotiations go better with the Flames, ideally leading to a long-term deal.

“It’s hard for me right now to answer those questions,” Lindholm told the Calgary Sun of what he’s looking for in his new deal. “It’s always nice to have a long-term deal and know where you’re going to be for the next few years. We’ll see how it goes but if I can sign a long-term deal, it would be nice.”

Lindholm, who was moved along with Noah Hanifin for Dougie Hamilton, Micheal Ferland and Adam Fox, said he’s excited to play for the Flames and believes his experience playing for new Flames head coach Bill Peters will pay dividends.

Peters teased the idea of putting Lindholm on the team’s top line Saturday, but said Matthew Tkachuk will get the first crack at playing that role.

“I haven’t even thought about the line (combinations) or where I’ll fit in,” said Lindholm. “If I end up playing with (Sean) Monahan and Johnny (Gaudreau), that’d be fun. They’re two world class players. But wherever I end up playing, it’s going to be fun to try something new. 

“I know Bill, I played the last four years with him and it’ll be easy for me to go there and know the coach and the systems he wants us to play.”

Lindholm, 23, had 16 goals and 44 points in 81 games with the Hurricanes last season.

The 2013 first-round pick is coming off a two-year, $5.4 million bridge contract with the Hurricanes.