NHL Draft Profile- Cayden Lindstrom

The 2024 NHL Draft will be here before you know it, and Draft Nation will preview some of the prospects who will be probable first round picks. Draft Nation will review the strengths and weaknesses of each prospect, and where they should land in the NHL Draft.

Name- Cayden Lindstrom

Pos- Center

Team- Medicine Hat (WHL)

HT/WT- 6’4” 215 lbs

Born- 2/3/2006

Home – Chetwynd, BC

Cayden Lindstrom was the 54th overall selection of the 2021 WHL Draft by the Medicine Hat Tigers. After only playing in 6 games in the 2021-2022 season, Lindstrom became a big part of the Tigers lineup in the 22-23 campaign. He played in 61 games and totaled 19 goals and 23 assists for Medicine Hat. After the season teammates, coaches and opponents were raving about the skill set of Lindstrom and many scouting services started moving him up the board for the 2024 NHL Draft.

This season, Lindstrom started off the season strong, scoring 27 goals and 19 assists in only 32 games. Unfortunately though, he suffered a hand injury and was lost for the remainder of the season.

Cayden Lindstrom is an elite skater which is rarely seen by players of his height. At 6’4” he has the speed and playmaking abilities to be a scary center and hard to defend in a 1-on-1 situation. He uses his frame effectively to protect the puck and excels at driving to the net and stirring things up in front of the goaltender. He’s above average on faceoffs and is used in key situations to win big draws for Medicine Hat. 

While skating, his strides are long and smooth and he can get to breakaway speed in a hurry. Smaller defensemen will struggle to guard him. His stick handling helps him to navigate in tight quarters efficiently and his long reach will help him in puck battles and forechecking. He is cognizant of where he needs to be in his own end and doesn’t mind backchecking and playing responsibly. 

On the downside, many scouts think he lacks the hockey IQ of a top 6 center and may project as a bottom 6 player. He feeds off of playmaking wingers and is not a center who drives the play in the offensive end. He has a quick strong shot but the accuracy at times is not what teams may want to see. He loves going to the net, but has trouble finding the soft spot on the ice to set up for one-timers and wrist shots. 

When watching film on Cayden Lindstrom his overall play reminded Draft Nation of Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders. The speedy Nelson has scored over 30 goals twice and can separate from defensemen with his long strides. Nelson was a late first round pick in 2010 and has made a nice career in the NHL. Lindstrom has a higher ceiling, though reaching 30 goals a season won’t come easy for him either. 

Final Analysis

Lindstron was having a huge season in the WHL and has put scouts on notice. His hand injury will be a concern and have to be cleared by team doctors before the draft.

Draft Nation Draft Prediction - Round 1- Top 20.