F Cayden Lindstrom - Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL (2024 Draft)

[majormajor]

Seems like a good bet for the Blue Jackets, no? Seems they could use another high end C prospect to go with Fantilli. Two big, tough, skilled centers is a good start to having and identity. Something that team has lacked, over the years. They’ve got some solid blueline prospects already. I think Columbus makes a lot of sense.

The Jackets have really good prospects and depth at every skater position. Voronkov or maybe Sillinger might become a 2C, among a few other possibilities.

That balance makes it more likely that they take Lindstrom though, because every team could use a power forward.

Yes and no.

It makes sense, fits and could definitely happen, but they could look at a dman like Dickinson and really like him.

Assuming these teams don't win 1st overall, Columbus, Chicago, Arizona, Montreal and San Jose I could see going for either F, or D.

If you love the player, take him.

But there really isn't as much room on D. If you've got Werenski, Mateychuk, and Dickinson at LD then a really good player is on the third pair.

More generally with Lindstrom I don't think any team would look past him based on their prospect pool or depth chart. He's not just a center he's a huge power forward that you can use anywhere up front.

Ducks I imagine want a forward, but they have a lot of both.

They have a ton of young forwards.

Ducks need RD and they need toughness, I wouldn't be surprised if they take Carter Yakemchuk (yes that early).

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

The Jackets have really good prospects and depth at every skater position. Voronkov or maybe Sillinger might become a 2C, among a few other possibilities.
I think that makes it more likely that they take Lindstrom though, because every team could use a power forward.



If you love the player, take him.

But there really isn't as much room on D. If you've got Werenski, Mateychuk, and Dickinson at LD then a really good player is on the third pair.



They have a ton of young forwards.

Ducks need RD and they need toughness, I wouldn't be surprised if they take Carter Yakemchuk (yes that early).

True, but if one of them can play RD, or they look at a guy like Parekh that might be a dude with 70+ potential on d for points, but struggle defensively, so the BJs envision him with Werenski, or Mateychuk.

That could be for the Ducks. He has the potential to be a real impactful d and the type you want as he can play in any type of game, if he hits his potential obviously.

 

[majormajor]

True, but if one of them can play RD

I know the Sabres don't care so much for handedness but I'm not a believer that D can generally switch effectively. Most of the ones that switch are small nimble specialists playing on the third pair.

or they look at a guy like Parekh that might be a dude with 70+ potential on d for points, but struggle defensively, so the BJs envision him with Werenski, or Mateychuk.

Jackets D already skews towards offensive D, they really need defensive D help. A lot of clubs at the bottom are that way, there's a lot more clubs needing sterling defense than need a new QB, I could see Parekh slipping a ways.

That could be for the Ducks. He has the potential to be a real impactful d and the type you want as he can play in any type of game, if he hits his potential obviously.

I think so. Yak can't defend right now but I think he'll be good at it someday. He'll definitely be a huge pain to play against.

 

[Guadana]

I see only Ducks who can draft some other player by top-3 pick. Other teams most likely will draft Lindstrom by 2nd-4th pick.

 

[McMozesmadness]

No Catton or Lindstrom at the u18

 

[landy92mack29]

Lindstrom makes sense as he clearly isn't 100% and probably needs a surgery so get the recovery started now vs just hurting draft stock. Curious if Catton got banged up also

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

As a fan of a team potentially in the range to get Lindstrom, I am alarmed. ''Symptoms of a back injury'' is what Pronman wrote in that article. Seems pretty mysterious...

 

[Junohockeyfan]

I was Team Lindstrom but after watching a few games of his, i wasn't impressed. He lacked energy. Tij Iginla on the other hand was all over the ice.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I think this back injury is going to drop his stock in the top 10.

 

[Peasy]

I think this back injury is going to drop his stock in the top 10.

Agreed. Just look at Vilardi. Was constantly talked about in the top 5 during his draft year and ended up going outside of the top 10 due to injury concerns (specifically his back)