Cayden Lindstrom is heading to the NCAA. After that?
Perhaps the best bit of news the Blue Jackets have gotten this summer has been the health of top prospect Cayden Lindstrom. After missing an entire year of hockey, the 6'4", 220 pound center looks to be back on track as one of the top forward prospects in the sport.
Cayden has wisely decided to leave the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers, committing instead to play for the Michigan State Spartans this fall. This makes so much sense. He'll get the benefit of playing the lighter NCAA schedule, while being able to utilize the high end exercise facilities and training staff offered at one of the best athletic programs in the United States.
This is an excellent recipe for getting him back on track, and I think he will make an impact at Michigan State right away. He is an excellent skater, hard working and tenacious on the puck. He can hit, score, and plays a balance all-around game that should make him really difficult to contain at this level.
I would not be surprised to see him in a starring role for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships in December and January. I would also not be surprised if he can springboard a strong year in the NCAA into an entry level contract with the Blue Jackets next spring. At which point, he could join the team. Ideally in the midst of a playoff race.
Imagine the Blue Jackets fighting for their playoff lives and getting an emotional push from the addition of their top prospect to the roster. Cayden spent most of the last year around the team as he rehabbed from his back injury. I have a good feeling that the team would rally around him in this situation, and he's a talented enough guy to make a difference on the ice as well.
How talented? Let me put it this way: this team's Stanley Cup window may open when Cayden Lindstrom is ready to step into a top-two line role in the NHL. He's that good of a prospect. Hopefully, the patience and development plan presented by the Blue Jackets will be rewarded in a major way here.
Could there be no prospect debuts at all?
It's possible that the Blue Jackets won't have any injury issues this year. In an ideal world, they will get through 82 games relatively unscathed. Perhaps only needing to dive into the handful of veterans they've accumulated to lead the way in Cleveland, as opposed to calling up any of the young players we just talked about.
If that comes to fruition, it's probably best for the organization all around. It will mean that the NHL team is competitive. It should keep the AHL team competitive. And, it would allow their prospects to simmer a little bit longer, forcing them to make tougher decisions next summer. After all, that's the plan.