F Cayden Lindstrom - Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL (2024, 4th, CBJ)

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Since folks frequently ask for updates, here you go:



It's not really an update as in change of condition. He's been skating and practicing with coaches for at least a few weeks now. People see him at the rink every day. My guess is that the Jackets don't feel there's enough to be gained from late season game action to justify risking his recovery, and that he won't play games this Spring. Whether that's because they think there's something amiss or because they're just being very cautious with their prized pick, we don't know.

Try not to bury this post with told ya sos. We already have hundreds of them here.


Excellent news. Hoping he is able to have a good offseason and be ready to go next year. Think he starts in the AHL or would he go to junior where he missed so much time?
 
  • The latest on Cayden Lindstrom. On Wednesday morning, he skated at the Ice Haus under the watchful eye of multiple skills coaches. From the looks of it, it was an intense skate. It’s encouraging to see him put the work in since his surgery. There is still no indication of what comes next for him. The big, lingering question will be where does play hockey next season?
 
I'm somewhat surprised.

I assumed it was certain he'd go to Ohio next year. Michigan State doesn't seem too far away, I shouldn't be too surprised.
Ohio State. OU is in Athens and doesn't have D1 Hockey.

Lindstrom should do very well at Michigan State, Nightingale has things rolling pretty well now, just gotta figure it out in the tournament
 
All the best to him and it does seem like a good move for him at his development stage and after (most likely) missing all of this year.

As a WHL fan, it does kind of stink to see a player of his capability leave, but for him as a player and as a person, it's probably for the best. No shade to Med Hat or the CHL, but there's way more money in NCAA facilities, and along with a schedule of less games, will probably help in his recovery and development.

I do wonder how Med Hat responds (re: WHL season play and team management) because that'll be another quality player they won't have next year and I'm already not as bullish on them next season as a lot of people are.
 
There isn't really a playbook for this but I am not sure playing at most 40 games or so next season is the best path after playing a handful of games since the calendar flipped to 2024. He needs as many games as possible, no?

Then again, playing Friday-Saturday every week and spending the rest of the week recovering and training might be for the best.
 
There isn't really a playbook for this but I am not sure playing at most 40 games or so next season is the best path after playing a handful of games since the calendar flipped to 2024. He needs as many games as possible, no?

Then again, playing Friday-Saturday every week and spending the rest of the week recovering and training might be for the best.
Older, better defensive competition and time off to train >>>> More games and younger competition
 
I am mostly surprised he hadn't signed his ELC yet tbh. Should be a good move development wise though.
People kept acting like Waddell wasn't doing it to recoup a pick should Lindstrom not be healthy... I think knowing this route was a possibility had a lot more to do with it
 
People kept acting like Waddell wasn't doing it to recoup a pick should Lindstrom not be healthy... I think knowing this route was a possibility had a lot more to do with it
I’m one of those people and I still think that’s the escape plan if next year doesnt go well for him health wise.
 
Case where I think junior was the move. More games, easier to be a top tier scorer and thus more touches on the puck. Easier to be “the guy”

But if he’s good enough it doesn’t matter where he plays. Small potatoes.
 
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no way then

You could sign him and trade him for more. I didn’t love the guy when he was healthy but I’d trade the NYR ‘25/26 pick for him right now.
My scenario only comes into play as a last ditch scenario if he’s not healthy next year. Not now.

Obviously I want it to work out and sign him to a contract next year after a good year at MSU.
 
I am mostly surprised he hadn't signed his ELC yet tbh. Should be a good move development wise though.
He wanted to keep the NCAA route open. You sign, you're automatically ineligible for the NCAA. We're gonna keep having this conversations in the months & years to come about CHLers who get drafted.

Ex: Jake O'Brien (Brantford Bulldogs, OHL) is drafted this summer by the Boston Bruins, an organization that loves the NCAA route for developing prospects. The Bruins could strongly encourage/steer O'Brien to local programs like Boston University, Boston College, Providence, UMass, Northeastern, or national powers such as Michigan, Michigan State, North Dakota, Denver and spend a year or two there & develop better before entering pro. O'Brien could say "no" and want to sign, and then the Bruins would be faced with a difficult question about whether to cave & sign him or hold strong and push him to the NCAA.
 
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He wanted to keep the NCAA route open. You sign, you're automatically ineligible for the NCAA. We're gonna keep having this conversations in the months & years to come about CHLers who get drafted.

Ex: Jake O'Brien (Brantford Bulldogs, OHL) is drafted this summer by the Boston Bruins, an organization that loves the NCAA route for developing prospects. The Bruins could strongly encourage/steer O'Brien to local programs like Boston University, Boston College, Providence, UMass, Northeastern, or national powers such as Michigan, Michigan State, North Dakota, Denver and spend a year or two there & develop better before entering pro. O'Brien could say "no" and wants to sign, and then the Bruins would be faced with a difficult question about whether to cave & sign him or hold strong and push him to the NCAA.
Its an interesting option for a lot of kids moving forward. Some teams may not like the uncertainty of having kids unsigned but to have that extra option vs CHL straight to the AHL could be huge
 
Its an interesting option for a lot of kids moving forward. Some teams may not like the uncertainty of having kids unsigned but to have that extra option vs CHL straight to the AHL could be huge
We're going to have to get clarification about the CHL-NHL Agreement this summer. The CBA needs to be amended to account for CHL to NCAA route players and if/when you can play in the AHL or not. If you're in the CHL in your 17 year old DY season, then NCAA in your 18 year old D+1 season, who knows if you can play in the A in your 19 year old season. Since you're not in the CHL anymore but were drafted out of it, idk what still applies.

And the rights holding period for guys drafted out of the CHL will need to be amended or just adjusted, as if you move from the CHL to the NCAA, you'd think the rights holding period would be 4 years now instead of the normal 2 for normal CHLers now. Lot to digest, but excited to see what happens.
 
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