Lindholm apprehensive about empty arenas: Fans are 'pretty much the whole game'

Calgary Flames forward Elias Lindholm isn't high on the idea of playing without spectators if the NHL season resumes.

"That's going to be tough," Lindholm told Sportsnet 960's "Boomer in The Morning" on Tuesday. "The fans is pretty much the whole game. Without the fans, there wouldn’t be any games."

The NHL reportedly discussed finishing the season in up to four different hub cities that are not considered coronavirus hotspots. However, fans would not be permitted to attend games due to public health and safety concerns.

Lindholm is used to a packed house at the Scotiabank Saddledome, as Calgary ranks sixth in attendance this season, drawing 18,751 spectators per game, according to ESPN. The 25-year-old believes it would be difficult to replicate the same level of energy and intensity on the ice in a much quieter environment.

"I think every time you go and play in front of a full building, you're pumped up and fired up, and when you're playing in front of just a couple thousand, you kind of have to motivate yourself for that," Lindholm said. "Now without fans, I don't know. … It's tough to imagine playing without fans. It's going to be a tough thing to do for sure."

Other figures around the league have shared similar sentiments. Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon said games without fans would "be called the YMCA." Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand said playing in an empty arena would "be like a practice," per CLNS Media's Mike Petraglia.

On the flip side, Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper thinks players wouldn't even notice the lack of spectators in the heat of the game.