Cayden Lindstrom, first-round draft pick of the Blue Jackets, talks about his style
Blue Jackets first-round pick, forward Cayden Lindstrom, was asked about his special qualities. Here he describes what Columbus fans can expect.
The Blue Jackets are not taking any risks with Cayden Lindstrom’s back surgery.
After the center was drafted fourth overall in June, the Blue Jackets’ goal now is to ensure he is fully recovered from back surgery before playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the junior Western Hockey League. Because of that, Lindstrom will not participate in the NHL Rookie Showcase in Buffalo next month and will be limited in his first NHL training camp.
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Even during his first NHL development camp in July, Lindstrom was only allowed to participate in non-contact exercises.
“The chances of him staying here (in the NHL) were slim anyway,” said Don Waddell, president of hockey operations and general manager of the Blue Jackets. “I’m a big proponent of letting these guys go back and get more experience not only as players but as people, so we wanted to make sure he was 100 percent ready when we sent him back to his team.”
Lindstrom has not signed an entry-level contract and is one of only two first-round picks from the 2024 draft who are not under contract and are not obligated to play in Russia or a college program. The other is centre Sam O’Reilly, who was selected 32nd overall by the Edmonton Oilers. Waddell said he told agent Daren Hermiston, who represents Lindstrom, that an ELC will be signed before the centre returns to action in Medicine Hat.
“He’s making really good progress,” Waddell said. “He spent the whole summer here. He was home for a week, but now he’s coming back. He’s itching to get on the ice, but we’re urging him not to get on the ice and to keep working out in the gym. That’s not a GM decision. It’s a doctor’s decision.”
Waddell chose Lindstrom even though his back problems have not yet healed and several opposing GMs have made trade offers for the pick.
“We did all the MRIs, our doctor talked to his doctor and we had all the pictures,” Waddell said. “We had everything. I talked to the doctor personally and there are no long-term concerns at all. It’s just that he’s very comfortable twisting, turning and all that stuff. But there’s no reason to put him in contact in Buffalo because that’s not going to prove anything.”
That’s in stark contrast to how the Blue Jackets handled center Adam Fantilli last year after selecting him third in a 2023 draft that included four projected No. 1 centers. Fantilli was convinced to forgo his second year at Michigan and signed an ELC a few days after his draft to begin his professional career. He made his NHL debut in the Jackets’ season opener and played 49 games (12 goals, 15 assists) before a skating injury to his right calf prematurely ended his rookie season.
Jarmo Kekalainen was the Jackets’ general manager when the decision was made to begin his NHL career, while John Davidson was president of hockey operations. Waddell, hired in late May to replace both positions, has a different approach to developing top talent.
The Blue Jackets are also stronger in attack, especially in the middle, than last summer.
With veteran Sean Monahan signed as a free agent on July 1, there’s no reason to rush Lindstrom into the NHL right away. Instead, Waddell’s plan for training camp is to prepare him for a full WHL season.
“There are exceptions, but just because you’re a top pick doesn’t mean you should start (in the NHL) right away,” Waddell said. “There are a lot of reasons why I can say it’s usually better for these kids to go back, not just as players but as people who are maturing – although Cayden is a very mature kid.”
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