Cayden Lindstrom (C, L, 6’3″, 210, Medicine Hat Tigers, 02/03/2006)
2024 NHL Draft Grade: A
Why is he an “A”? Lindstrom is a 6’3″, 210 pound left shot power center who had his draft season shortened due to injury but still put up 27 goals and 46 points in 32 games. He is big, strong and plays with an edge and he also has the single stride acceleration that translates to the National League level. Lindstrom is both quick and fast while all while stopping in the puck in defensive situations. He keeps his feet moving through traffic and drew 25 penalties simply because of his work ethic and out wanting the puck or valuable ice more than his opponent.
Why he might fall out of the top 5? While playing against his top International peers Lindstrom earned a “B” grade from Neutral Zone at last summer’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He did have two games where he earned an “A-” and a “B+” but overall he was a third liner who played second unit power play minutes and did not kill penalties while winning only 42% of his 50/50 puck battles throughout the tournament. Although he is a moose for junior hockey standing 6’2″, 210 pounds he won only 49% of his 50/50 puck battles for Medicine Hat. He will obviously gain strength but this is a percentage worth noting. And it is concerning that he completed only 84% of his passes which is no doubt impacted his 19 assists. Does this mean he forces pucks into coverage or that he doesn’t see it?
WHL: Saskatoon at Medicine Hat, September 30, 2023:
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Lindstrom is tall long legged strong left shot center with a shoulder width skating base and a return leg that lands on it’s flat edge. He might not be a full ice burner but showed a fluid stride ended with a toe snap that we feel will lead to him being faster and more explosive as he gains lower body strength / power. All night long he showed the professional details by stopping on pucks, protecting the puck with his body and looking to extend Medicine Hat’s puck possession through quick accurate 5′ to 10′ passes and then using his strength to get to the net front for rebounds. In the offensive zone we liked how he felt where the defensive pressure was coming from and rather than try to jam the puck through bodies he used his defensemen as outlets at the point. In the offensive zone Lindstrom constantly planted himself inside the lower royal road looking for rebounds or quick stick one-timer opportunities. On the night he finished third among the Tiger’s forwards with 19:43 in total ice time including being second on the team with 4:44 of power play time and with the exception of 0:06 of penalty kill time he was not used as a killer. He went 12/17 on face-offs including 4/5 on defensive zone face-offs. Overall he finished even with 0 points, 3 shots, 4 grade ‘A’ opportunities, 2 hits, 3 giveaways, 7 takeaways and on the season he is winning 44% of his 50/50 puck battles. Lindstrom currently has a ‘B-‘ 2024 draft grade from Neutral Zone.
Hlinka Gretzky Cup, August 2023:
Canada vs Czech Republic: Game Grade A-
Comments: Cayden scored the opening goal of the game for Canada in highlight reel fashion. Spence won the puck in the left defensive corner, and lobbed it out of the zone to Martone who was at the far blueline. Martone knocked the puck down to his stick, and fed a perfect saucer pass to Cayden who came streaking up the ice at full speed. Cayden caught the puck on his backhand, before pulling it to his forehand, and beating the goaltender up top over his blocker shoulder. One of the more impressive aspects of this goal, is that Cayden started the play at the top of his own crease, as he was engaged with a Czech forward. He then beat everyone up ice, and then showcased his combination of strength and skill, as he kept the puck away from the Czech defender by holding the puck on his backhand, as far forward as he could, before pulling it back to his forehand to shoot past the goaltender. For players the size of Cayden, a big question is always, ‘can he create space for others’? The answer to that is a resounding, ‘yes’. Cayden routinely attacks space in between defenders to draw them in towards himself, before passing out to an open teammate. He also is very good on the cycle, able to fight off multiple defenders before passing. Cayden carried the puck with his head-up, and made excellent passes at speed to teammates. He was also very noticeable defensively, as he worked to stay with checks through the neutral zone, and into the defensive end. He was very good at collapsing in towards the net front as the offside winger, and made sure to protect the net front at all costs. He positioned himself well to disrupt passing and shooting lanes, and used his reach to break-up passes. I would describe this as a statement performance for Cayden, and fully expect him to dominate play in the WHL this season.
Canada vs Slovakia: Game Grade B+
Comments: Cayden has been fantastic for Canada in a depth role at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. After an impressive U17 season with the Medicine Hat Tigers which saw him record 42 points in 61 games, the massive forward will look to take another stride forward during his draft year. Against Slovakia, Cayden scored as he came off the bench in the second. Canada was pushing up-ice in an odd-man rush when the puck came to Mews in the middle of the ice. Cayden called for the pass, and received it on his forehand on the left side of the ice. As he received the pass, he let his momentum carry him in towards the goal, before blasting a shot past the goaltender. Cayden is an average straight-line skater for this level of play, but is quite fast when considering his size (listed at approximately 6’5′ tall). Due to the strength on his skates, he is very difficult to knock off pucks along the wall, and he is able to throw massive hits. He is also skilled enough in tight to work pucks from along the wall, and either to the middle of the ice or to an open teammate. Cayden also carried the puck very well, and made accurate passes to teammates at full-speed. He was also trusted to kill penalties, and had success at that as he used his physicality and reach to win pucks along the wall to clear the zone. As it stands, Cayden appears to have the tool-kit to be a force at the next level. He is big enough and strong enough to play a power game, and yet is also skilled enough and quick enough to be successful when the game becomes more free-flowing. If he can continue this momentum into the upcoming season, Cayden is likely to hear his name called on the first day of the draft, and it could be very early at that.