2024 Columbus Blue Jackets Draft Projections
THN's own Ryan Kennedy just released his Mid-Term 2024 NHL Draft Rankings: The First Round Projection on The Hockey News main site. And it got us thinking, who in the top 5 should the CBJ draft? Of the top 5 in his article, there's one that the Jackets should take a chance on should they draft 4th or 5th, Cayden Lindstrom.
In his article, Kennedy says about Lindstrom:
Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat (WHL): High-riser is on the shelf right now, and it was unfortunate he had to miss the CHL Top Prospects Game, but when you're a 6-foot-5 center who puts up big offensive numbers, NHL teams are going to be very interested no matter how many games you play in your draft year.
Measurements: 6-foot-5, 205 pounds
What Scouts Are Saying
Kyle Cushman - TheScore - December 11th: "The Chetwynd, British Columbia, native is a physical freak. He's listed at 6-foot-5, 205 pounds, but doesn't lack speed and agility. Lindstrom can fly and is agile, too - a deadly combination when paired with his size."
Hadi Kalakeche - Dobber Prospects - November 18th: "Physically gifted and willing to use it, Lindstrom is incredibly disruptive along the boards, competes hard on every puck, and does a lot of little things right. From his tendency to cut to the middle off the rush, to his hard back-checks, to his ability to take each puck in stride without needing to slow down, there are many details of his game that scream ”NHL”."
hockeywiz777scouting.com - Many scouts have concerns about his IQ & upside, and think that while he does have attributes you would like in a middle 6 Center, it wouldn’t be worth using a top 10 pick on him, where he is currently projected. My NHL Comparison for Cayden Lindstrom is Pierre Luc Dubois, who is a natural power forward, who is also a good two-way center and is not afraid to get his nose dirty in front of the net. He has the potential to be a Top 6 Center, but it is more likely that he ends up being a Middle 6 Center, that is drafted with a top 10 pick.
The Jackets have a lot of centers but are still not too strong at the position. Sure they have Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger, but at some point, Boone Jenner and Sean Kuraly will get older and need to move on either into retirement or to another team. So, there's nothing wrong with taking a shot on a big, young center with potential.
Is it a little early for draft talk? Sure it is, but the way the season has gone for Columbus, it's something that needs to be talked about.
More From THN Columbus
Join Jason Newland's Columbus Blue Jacket page on Bunches, a new app that connects sports fans. Also, you can watch a new YouTube game show about the Blue Jackets, Around the Fifth Line.