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2024 NHL Draft

Cayden Lindstrom Drafted By Blue Jackets At No.4 | NHL Draft Analysis

Cayden Lindstrom Drafted By Blue Jackets At No.4 | NHL Draft Analysis

Cayden Lindstrom was taken No. 4 by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2024 NHL Draft. Here's why.

Jun 28, 2024 by Chris Peters
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Multiple injuries over the course of the season have impacted Cayden Lindstrom’s stock some in the 2024 NHL Draft, but there’s very little questioning the immense upside you can see in his game. As a 6-foot-4 center with good skating ability and hand skills, there’s a lot to like. When you throw in the physical style he plays with, there’s a spot for a player like that on pretty much every NHL team. 

There are some legitimate concerns about Lindstrom’s hockey sense and ability to drive play as a result. That also hampers his projection as a center. His physical abilities are certainly going to make him dominant in junior, but there’s still concern that he might not be able to complete all the plays he’s making in junior with average hockey sense.

Expectations are also being tempered a bit on Lindstrom because of the injuries he faced. NHL teams are going to be examining him closely especially since injuries at younger ages are particularly concerning for those that play the heavier, physical game that Lindstrom does. That said, the upside, especially as Lindstrom continues to grown and can gain experience to mitigate some of the hockey sense concerns, is going to entice teams away from some of those health concerns. If he hits, they could be looking at a top-of-the-lineup winger or solid No. 2 center.

Why The Columbus Blue Jackets Drafted Cayden Lindstrom At No. 3

The Blue Jackets are taking on some risk, but there's a chance for massive reward. Lindstrom had some injury troubles this year, which is always a concern for a bigger, physical player, but it's also remarkably rare to find a player that plays like Lindstrom. The No. 7 prospect from the FloHockey list was one of the best prospects in the WHL when healthy. He now gives Columbus a spectacular and big one-two punch with Adam Fantilli. It's like having two No. 1 centers, potentially, if both hit their ceilings.

What Time Does The NHL Draft Start?

The first round is at 7 p.m. Friday, June 28. The rest of the draft resumes at 11:30 a.m. on June 29. 

How To Watch NHL Draft 2024

The NHL Draft is airing and streaming on ESPN and ESPN+. 

Live pick analysis and video breakdowns will be available on FloHockey. 

NHL Draft Order

Here is the first round order: 

  1. San Jose Sharks 
  2. Chicago Blackhawks
  3. Anaheim Ducks
  4. Columbus Blue Jackets
  5. Montreal Canadiens
  6. Utah Hockey Club
  7. Ottawa Senators
  8. Seattle Kraken
  9. Calgary Flames
  10. New Jersey Devils
  11. San Jose Sharks
  12. Philadelphia Flyers
  13. Minnesota Wild
  14. Buffalo Sabres
  15. Detroit Red Wings
  16. St. Louis Blues
  17. Washington Capitals
  18. Chicago Blackhawks
  19. Las Vegas Golden Knights
  20. New York Islanders
  21. Montreal Canadiens
  22. Nashville Predators
  23. Toronto Maple Leafs
  24. Colorado Avalanche 
  25. Boston Bruins
  26. Los Angeles Kings
  27. Carolina Hurricanes 
  28. Calgary Flames
  29. Dallas Stars 
  30. New York Rangers
  31. Anaheim Ducks
  32. Philadelphia Flyers

Top NHL Draft Prospects 

Here is FloHockey analysts Chris Peters' top prospects:

First Published June 3, 2024

FULL TOP 100 SCOUTING REPORTS HERE

  1. Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University
  2. Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State University
  3. Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg
  4. Anton Silayev, D, Torpedo
  5. Berkly Catton, C, Spokane Chiefs
  6. Zeev Buium, D, University of Denver
  7. Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat Tigers
  8. Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw Spirit
  9. Sam Dickinson, D, London Knights
  10. Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary Hitmen
  11. Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa Generals
  12. Tij Iginla, C/W, Kelowna Rockets
  13. Konsta Helenius, C, Jukurit
  14. Cole Eiserman, LW, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  15. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora
  16. Adam Jiricek, D, HC Plzen
  17. Michael Hage, C, Chicago Steel
  18. Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph Storm
  19. Igor Chernyshov, LW, Dynamo Moscow
  20. Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-City Storm
  21. Nikita Artamonov, LW, Torpedo
  22. Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks
  23. E.J. Emery, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  24. Charlie Elick, D, Brandon Wheat Kings
  25. Stian Solberg, D, Valerenga
  26. Yegor Surin, C/W, Loko Yaroslavl
  27. Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie Colts
  28. Terik Parascak, RW, Prince George Cougars
  29. Emil Hemming, RW, TPS
  30. Matvei Gridin, RW, Muskegon Lumberjacks
  31. Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor Spitfires
  32. Dean Letourneau, C, St. Andrew’s College
  33. Adam Kleber, D, Lincoln Stars
  34. Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Vaxjo U20
  35. Cole Hutson, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  36. Henry Mews, D, Ottawa 67s
  37. Ryder Ritchie, RW, Prince Albert Raiders
  38. Julius Miettinen, C/W, Everett Silvertips
  39. John Mustard, C, Waterloo Black Hawks
  40. Teddy Stiga, C/W, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  41. Lucas Pettersson, C, MODO
  42. Jesse Pulkkinen, D, JYP
  43. Linus Eriksson, C, Djugardens
  44. Dominik Badinka, D, Malmo
  45. Adam Jecho, C/W, Edmonton Oil Kings
  46. Tanner Howe, LW, Regina Pats
  47. Andrew Basha, LW, Medicine Hat Tigers
  48. Leon Muggli, D, Zug
  49. Sam O’Reilly, C/W, London Knights
  50. Marek Vanacker, LW, Brantford Bulldogs
  51. Luca Marelli, D, Oshawa Generals
  52. Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK
  53. Carson Wetsch, RW, Calgary Hitmen
  54. Harrison Brunicke, D, Kamloops Blazers
  55. Brodie Ziemer, RW, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  56. Maxim Masse, RW, Chicoutimi Sagueneens
  57. Ben Danford, D, Oshawa Generals
  58. Alfons Freij, D, Vaxjo U20
  59. Will Skahan, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  60. Lukas Fischer, D, Sarnia Sting
  61. Tomas Galvas, D, Liberec
  62. Mikhail Yegorov, G, Omaha Lancers
  63. Owen Allard, C, Soo Greyhounds
  64. Aatos Koivu, C, TPS
  65. Veeti Vaisanen, D, KooKoo
  66. Jacob Battaglia, RW, Kingston Frontenacs
  67. Luke Misa, C, Mississauga Steelheads
  68. Ilya Protas, LW, Des Moines Buccaneers
  69. Kamil Bednarik, C, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  70. Jack Berglund, C, Farjestad U20
  71. Christian Humphreys, C, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  72. Simon Zether, C, Rogle
  73. Max Plante, RW, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  74. Eriks Mateiko, LW, Saint John Sea Dogs
  75. Colton Roberts, D, Vancouver Giants
  76. Eemil Vinni, G, Jokipojat
  77. ONdrej Kos, LW, Ilves U20
  78. Pavel Moysevich, G, SKA St. Petersburg
  79. Alexander Zetterberg, C, Orebro U20
  80. Maximillian Curran, C, Tri-City Americans
  81. Spencer Gill, D, Rimouski Oceanic
  82. Gabriel Eliasson, D, HV71 U20
  83. Justin Poirier, RW, Baie-Comeau Drakkar
  84. Logan Sawyer, C, Brooks Bandits
  85. Hagen Burrows, RW, Sioux City Musketeers
  86. Marcus Gidlof, G, Leksands U20
  87. Petr Sikora, C, Trinec U20
  88. Ondrej Becher, C, Prince George Cougars
  89. Sebastian Soini, D, Ilves U20
  90. Carter George, G, Owen Sound Attack
  91. Ethan Procyszyn, C, North Bay Battalion
  92. Tomas Lavoie, D, Cape Breton Eagles
  93. Timur Kol, D, Omsk
  94. Ollie Josephson, C, Red Deer Rebels
  95. Jonathan Morello, C, St. Michael’s Buzzers
  96. Will Zellers, LW, Shattuck-St. Mary’s
  97. Heikki Ruohonen, C, Kiekko-Espoo U20
  98. Colin Ralph, D, Shattuck-St. Mary’s
  99. Joona Vaisanen, D, Dubuque Fighting Saints
  100. Mac Swanson, C, Fargo Force

NHL Draft Predictions

Here are Chris Peters' NHL Mock Drafts:

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