CAYDEN LINDSTROM

Center
6’5/205
Left
Medicine Hat Tigers/WHL

Related: Konta Helenius

At 6-foot-5, Lindstrom’s getting significant attention in the scouting community these days. The Medicine Hat Tigers forward seems to get better with every game, and he has tremendous speed for his frame. From talking to a few WHL defenders, Lindstrom might be the most feared player in a 1-on-1 situation due to his combination of speed, skill and pure mass. Lindstrom had a decent year with the Medicine Hat Tigers last season, putting up 19 goals and 42 points in 61 games, but he has taken his game to new heights this season, already having tallied 14 goals and 25 points in 20 games in the WHL. Cayden suited up for Canada U18s at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in 2023, tallying 3 points in 5 games, helping Canada win the Gold Medal. The upside here is enormous, he has the potential to be an impactful top 6 center, thanks to his combination of size and skill.

Size/Strength Excellent
Skating Good
Shot/Scoring Good
Puckhandling Good
Physical Play Great
Offensive Play Great
Defensive Play Good
Hockey Sense Average
Competitiveness Great

Strengths

1. Great size, at 6’5/205, Excellent on faceoffs, and is a solid two way center.
2. Big Power forward, with strong skating, puck skills, and a nose for the net.
3. He has great puck protection skills, using his size to his advantage and his stick handling in tight spaces with his long reach and control.

Areas of Improvement

1. Some scouts question his Hockey sense and IQ.
2. His offensive ceiling isn’t as high as some other forwards in this draft class.

Scouting Report

At 6-foot-5, Lindstrom’s getting significant attention in the scouting community these days. The Medicine Hat Tigers forward seems to get better with every game, and he has tremendous speed for his frame. From talking to a few WHL defenders, Lindstrom might be the most feared player in a 1-on-1 situation due to his combination of speed, skill, and pure mass. Cayden Lindstrom moves extremely well for his size, at 6’5/205, and has a long and smooth stride and great breakaway speed. He has great puck protection skills, using his size to his advantage and his stick handling in tight spaces with his long reach and control. Everyone wants a big angry bull who can take the inside, protect the puck, drive to the net, and finish; that is exactly what Lindstrom is and excels at. Although he is not a playdriver, he has qualities about him that make teams salivate; Lindstrom has great size, good speed, and is excellent on faceoffs. 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.

Skill: Big Power forward, with smooth skating ability, and great puck protection ability

NHL Comparable: Pierre Luc Dubois

NHL Potential: Top 6 Center

Season	Team	League	GP	G	PTS
2022-23	Medicine Hat Tigers	WHL	61	19	42
2023-24	Canada U18	Hlinka Gretzky Cup	5	2	3
	Medicine Hat Tigers	WHL	20	14	25

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