The 2024 NHL Entry Draft is less than two weeks away. The Anaheim Ducks have the third pick in this year's draft, where they will have a choice between several top prospects. Without a top pick, it's hard to gauge who will be there – the San Jose Sharks will select Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick, but the Chicago Blackhawks will be on the next watch for the actual draft decision.
Related: Ducks 2024 NHL Draft Target: Ivan Demidov
In the final weeks before the draft, we'll explore the potential players available to Anaheim at the third overall pick. Previously, we looked at Anton Silayev and Ivan Demidov. Today we will review our first North American prospect, Cayden Lindstrom, a center for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Lindstrom, a towering power forward, is a unique top asset in this year's draft class. Coupled with the fact that he seems to fit what general manager Pat Verbeek is building, it is believed that Lindstrom will be wearing orange and black on draft night.
Lindstrom Fits Verbeek Type
Lindstrom is a commanding presence on the ice. At 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds, he's an NHL-sized power forward setting his sights on the WHL. He uses his size well, including long reach and a willingness to battle the boards. He is a strong skater, which helps with his 200 meter game. He has a high motor and gets involved on both ends of the ice. Lindstrom took his offensive game to new levels to start the 2023-24 season with the Tigers, as he recorded 46 points (26 goals, 20 assists) in 32 games before being sidelined with a back injury. He returned during the postseason but was still dealing with his back problems. It registered just two points in four games in the play-offs.
Like any prospect, Lindstrom is not a slam-dunk pick. His rest has been cut short due to a herniated disc in his back. Although back problems can sometimes be scary, he was able to test at the NHL Draft Combine in early June. Even with a back injury behind him, his jump off draft boards is based on a 32-game sample. This is also before mentioning any concerns about a forward's ability to translate their game from dealing with youth at a young age to senior adults in the NHL.
Looking at some of Verbeek's personnel decisions since he took over as general manager in 2022, selecting Lindstrom could be considered par for the course. Lindstrom's profile is almost identical to that of Leo Carlsson, Anaheim's second overall pick from 2023. Both are power forwards, and Carlsson was chosen over Adam Fantilli because of Carlsson's superior motor and hockey IQ. Verbeek traded for Cutter Gauthier, another 200-foot power forward and sniper on the offensive end. With other top-six players such as Trevor Zegras, Mason McTavish and Troy Terry, the Ducks lack a significant presence up front. Lindstrom can be that forward who collects points from deflections and rebounds. If he turns to the wing, he could be one-third of a strong top line consisting of himself, Carlsson, and Gauthier.
While Lindstrom seems like a good fit for the Ducks, there will definitely be a few good options available to them at third overall. With the draft two weeks away, we'll continue to detail some of these potential options, including Carter Yakemchuk, who could fill the right guard void left by Jamie Drysdale. We'll also do a three-round draft with all seven of Anaheim's picks.
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