Garrett Lindberg (D, R, 5’11”, 190, NTDP U18, 03/08/2007, North Dakota)
Garrett Lindberg is a right-shot defenseman who brings maturity, defensive intelligence, and high-level puck distribution to the U.S. National Team Development Program’s blue line. A cerebral, composed puck mover, Lindberg plays a reliable game rooted in structure and detail. Though not flashy offensively, his poise, consistent passing execution, and penalty kill reliability make him a trusted option in key minutes. While limited in raw dynamic skill, Lindberg thrives in transitional defense and puck retrieval situations.
Statistical Profile (2024–25):
League GP G A P PIM +/-
NTDP U18 84 3 12 15 60 -3
Single Game Averages:
TOI: 17:17
Power Play / PK Time: 0:04 / 2:38
Playing in Attack / Defense: 6:29 / 8:26
Scoring Chances / Conversion: 0.2 / 0%
Shots on Goal: 1.12
Blocked Shots: 1.37
Puck Battles (C / C%): 9 / 58%
Pass Accuracy: 84%
Takeaways / Giveaways: 6 / 3.9
Reasons to Draft:
Passing Execution: Lindberg delivers quick, flat, purposeful breakout passes without over-handling the puck. His first-pass decisions are consistent, timely, and effective. His puck management under pressure makes him a reliable puck mover from the defensive zone.
Defensive Intelligence & Stick Detail: Lindberg excels at closing gaps and taking away options with smart angling and stick placement. He consistently uses stick-lane denial to control zone entries and disrupt plays before they reach high-danger areas.
Penalty Kill Trust & Zone Exits: Averaging nearly 3:00 SH TOI per game, he’s trusted on the PK due to his off-puck details, ability to hold positioning, and make intelligent clears. He absorbs forecheck pressure well and looks to create clean exits.
High Hockey IQ & Poise: Lindberg thinks the game at a high level. He identifies passing lanes early and avoids panic plays. His game isn’t flashy, but it’s fundamentally sound and built on anticipation, spatial awareness, and efficient reads.
Reasons for Concern:
Limited Offensive Ceiling: Lindberg is not a dynamic offensive threat. He recorded just 15 points in 84 games and had minimal scoring chance generation (0.2 SC/game). His puck play is calculated and safe but lacks creativity and activation from the offensive blue line.
Skating Mechanics: While stable and composed on his feet, his skating might not be enough for a defensive minded 5’11” defensive defenseman. He relies on positioning more than recovery speed, which may limit his ability to defend at pace against NHL-level speed.
Undersized for Role: At 5’11”, 190 lbs, Lindberg does not have ideal length or physical intimidation traits. He compensates with strength through contact and effective angling, but he’ll need to further develop core strength to win battles consistently at the next level.
Projection:
Lindberg projects as a depth, shutdown-oriented defenseman at the collegiate and pro levels, likely contributing on penalty kill units and as a transition stabilizer. If his strength and pace continue to improve, he has the intelligence and passing reliability to evolve into a third-pair NHL option with special teams utility.
Draft Recommendation:
Late 7th Round
Lindberg’s defensive polish, consistent puck movement, and hockey sense make him a strong candidate for teams looking to build depth on the right side. While not a high-upside offensive defenseman, his floor as a reliable, detail-oriented defender with PK reliability is appealing in the middle rounds.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images