For a Blackhawks front office valuing speed, and high hockey IQ, does Cayden Lindstrom check the boxes for general manger Kyle Davidson?
Here’s a look at an intriguing prospect–but one who has seen a solid rise up the draft board but might have a question or two when it comes to a top-five ranking.
Looking at Cayden Lindstrom
A wrist injury slowed the statistical explosion Lindstrom had this season, who played his most recent game all the way back on December 16th. Through 32 games, Lindstrom had 46 points with 27 finding the back of the net. The 6’4 forward can play in any situation, and while he can certainly serve as a net front presence, he has the skill set to be a bumper on the power play, which would be problematic for teams trying to disrupt him.
Lindstrom brings a component the Blackhawks don’t have with several of their high end picks–size and strength. The fact that he brings the skill component, too, only seems to make him the more coveted of the projected top five not named Macklin Celebrini.
Would the Blackhawks take Lindstrom If Not Picking First?
TSN’s Bob McKenzie acknowledged in his midseason rankings that Lindstrom has moved up significantly because of the tools he brings to the table. But the question remains around how his upper body (hand) recovers following the surgery.
Initially thought to be out four-to-six weeks back in December, Lindstrom hasn’t returned since. James Tubb of Medicine Hat News reported back in January, just short of a month of Lindstrom’s last game, that he would be out for a “longer period of time.” At the point of that report, it was at about four weeks. Now it’s been three months.
Elite Prospects’ Tony Ferrari talked to Lindstrom a month ago, who thought he’d be back by “mid-February.” Still shelved as the WHL playoffs begin this week, when he returns and how he looks will go a long way in determining just where he’s at. Medicine Hat coach Willie Desjardins commented that the injury could scare some teams off.
But Tubb tweeted just five days ago that Lindstrom was back on the ice without restriction.
It could still cloud where teams take him if the injury and recovery turns out to be more problematic than expected. However, injuries are not the same for all athletes and it could very well be precautionary with his long term career in mind. Besides, if he does return to play in the playoffs, and goes on a tear, it would quiet any of those doubts pretty quickly.
So could he fit into the Blackhawks long-term plans if they’re not picking first overall? Aboslutely. Lindstrom holds a lot of assets that would help the Hawks down the road–especially size, physicality, a quick release and speed. He’s also been lauded for his leadership skills–something that is a common theme for who the Blackhawks have chosen lately. The physicality piece, especially for someone who could slot in as a future second line center, would give the Blackhawks another dimension they don’t have in high order with many of their forwards.
Smaht Scouting lauded the physical prowess and how he’s “Tkachukian” which is a terrific way to describe the skills he brings. Dobber Prospects writer Hadi Kalakeche adds that he uses his frame better than any other prospect in the draft while mentioning his high character as well. Going back to when Medicine Hat signed Lindstrom to a player agreement, they mentioned his high hockey IQ in the release.
If the Blackhawks do not win the draft lottery, they will have plenty to choose from after. Lindstrom is not only one of those options, but likely could be one of the best ones. Not only would he check many–if not all–of the boxes the Blackhawks look for–he would add a physical component that would make them even harder to play against.
Future Blackhawks Profiles:
Macklin Celebrini | Cole Eiserman | Artyom Levshunov | Ivan Demidov
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