After much debate over the past week, the outcome is final. The Columbus Blue Jackets have used their fourth overall pick to select Cayden Lindstrom.
Cayden Lindstrom Draft Profile
Hailing from Chetwynd, British Columbia, Lindstrom has played for the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers for the past two seasons. In the 2023-24 season, he played 32 games had 27 goals, and 19 assists before sustaining a back and hand injury.
Lindstrom stands 6’4″ and weighs 214lbs and shoots left. He’s a strong center who could fit in well behind Adam Fantilli. Lindstrom’s size also comes with speed which helps make him a power forward who can play physically, score goals, and get back on defense.
This year, Cayden was awarded the CHL Top Draft Prospect Award. The award is given to the top eligible prospect in the Canadian Hockey League every year. He also played for Canada in the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. In five games, Lindstrom scored two goals and had 3 assists.
Don Waddell’s first draft pick seems like a good fit for Columbus. As with any player, there is some risk involved. The Blue Jackets have a hard time staying healthy. For the past two seasons, injuries have plagued Columbus, limiting some star players to just a few games. Lindstrom plays a physical and often aggressive style that could lend itself to higher-risk situations. Just coming off a few injuries himself, Cayden was given a clean bill of health in the 2024 NHL Scouting Combine.
Waddell has already made his mark on Columbus with the release of former head coach Pascal Vincent, the signing of Yegor Chinakhov, and recently trading Alexandre Texier to the St. Louis Blues for a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. His first draft pick could be one of the biggest moves this year.
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