Quoting: Bast
You were the one saying he's a 60pt C. I showed you that's not quite right. Now you're suggesting that all his production was due to his wingers, but how many top line players play with 3rd liners on a consistent basis?
As for Lindholm being sus defensively, it just shows me you watch him play twice a year, and refer to one spreadsheet or another. He does quite a bit in the D zone, and helps his defensemen a lot. Don't take my word for it though, experts around the league, his peers, and his coaches compliment his defensive play. Regarding the actual analytics, he always had good xG%, Corsi, and Fenwick, but those are often attributed to Sutter.
If we use the logic you applied to Lindholm to KK, then he'd be a replacement level 30pt C in your eyes. Getting a 60pt C for him seems like a steal. He's not better defensively, he's not better offensively. The only thing that works in his favor is him being younger. He might not even be worth that contract unless the cap goes up substantially.
Sebastian Aho was a PPG with Seth Jarvis and MacKenzie MacEachern on his wings... 1st line centers are PPG players without elite linemates. You gave his point totals which show the disparity of when he was playing with Tkachuk and Gaudreau.
You say I don't watch lindholm... even if that was true (which it isn't) he's below replacement level analytically. His xGA stats are below replacement, his Corsi against stats are below replacement level, and his xG% is not good either.
Kotkaniemi isn't a comparable because he's 23, and he could still be a 60 point guy in his own right. KK is better than Lindholm defensively (KK is a defensive monster, like a baby Backlund) but you're right he is not as good offensively. He's already worth his contract. Trying to argue that shows me you watch Kotkaniemi twice a year, and maybe not even that. He can be an offensive blackhole, but he's straight up better defensively. I wouldn't move KK, who is signed long term, for a rental Lindholm. No sane person would.