“When I was 12 or 13, I had to choose between hockey and baseball. I really liked both sports, but upon reflection I realized that I preferred ice hockey a little. I then decided to take up this sport and told myself that I would do everything to be successful in it.”

Cayden Lindstrom obviously had a point.

To say that the young up-and-comer is popular with Canadian fans five years later is an understatement.

Recently the author of these lines published a survey on his “X” account. The question behind it was very simple.

“What hope would you want the club to turn to in the event of a scenario where Montreal does not issue either the first or second draft?”

With 63.8% (!) people voted for the Medicine Hat Tigers center.

After speaking with the main interested party, it is clear that the interest is mutual.

“I grew up watching Canadiens games,” admits the man, who has three little sisters, the last of whom (8 years old) also plays hockey. The Bell Center’s reputation is well established: the atmosphere there is incredible and the fans are just… crazy! Playing in Montreal would mean a lot to me.”

Many Habs fans who dream of Lindstrom (6”4, 216 pounds) have a hypothetical scenario in mind in which the imposing pivot and Juraj Slafkovsky (another colossus!) in two different units make other teams’ task much more difficult would.

But Lindstrom doesn’t have exactly the same idea.

“Slafkovsky is a big guy like me, so let’s assume we could get a lot of ice space!” Otherwise, Cole Caufield is a good scorer and also excellent at creating plays.

Christer Rockstrom, the Habs’ chief recruiter for Europe, called Slafkovsky a “big horse” during a team meeting before the 2022 draft.

It is difficult, if not impossible, not to think of the potential damage that could be caused by a trio on which two (talented) “horses” and a natural marker develop…

“I’m very, very competitive.”

Cayden Lindstrom’s profile is enough to make you salivate. Its greatness has just been discussed, but there is much more to it than that.

In 32 games this season, the young man put up statistics that speak for themselves: 27 goals and 46 points. What makes Lindstrom so interesting is that these points and goals were scored in a variety of ways. He is unpredictable and contributes in many ways.

That’s exactly what he wants/thinks he wants to achieve in the NHL.

“I can play a very physical game and create space for my teammates, but I can also play with finesse and speed. I also see myself committed defensively.

Lindstrom pauses as if he had just finished his sentence. But he continues immediately.

“I’m also very, very competitive.”

The famous character. You can’t buy this quality.

Injuries: Nothing to worry about

Cayden Lindstrom’s playing style and statistics quite well explain his popularity among various hockey referees/experts.

As the draft approaches, the biggest concern being expressed behind the scenes is his health.

Lindstrom had wrist surgery in mid-January and missed several weeks of activity, then had to pull out of the current U18 World Cup due to back pain. But the skater and his agent Daren Hermiston are very reassuring on the subject.

“Cayden is fine,” Hermiston says. He trains unrestrictedly and intensively five days a week in the gym and also adds five sessions on the ice. In the case of his back, the surgery will not be necessary. We decided on physiotherapy treatments and such methods and he has been running at full speed for a few days. There is no need to worry about his health.”

“I really give it my all,” confirms Lindstrom with a smile in his voice.

Furthermore, the attacker had just completed intensive training with… Connor Bedard when the interview took place.

“I don’t care what people say”

During the season, Cayden Lindstrom’s playfulness was questioned by some. Aside from questions about his health, this was one of the only negatives that came up regarding his on-ice contribution.

Starting on this route, the middle player didn’t give himself any time to react.

“To be honest, I don’t care what people say about me. I think I understand the game very well. Of course there is always room for something better, but I think my vision is very sharp. I am more than capable of making plays and I have proven that in the past.

The answer was in a calm and composed but authoritative tone. Apparently Lindstrom isn’t intimidated by rumors. The quickest guy on the ball will say it’s perfect, especially considering he might be coming to Montreal.

Our interlocutor therefore does not need external comments to know what he needs to work on. He is his biggest critic and… has already prepared for a whole summer of training.

“I want to get even stronger! I also plan to work on my mobility with a coach who specializes in skating and will also dedicate several sessions to improving my shooting and puck skills.

If Cayden Lindstrom’s current version is impressive, September’s version risks becoming nothing short of a nightmare for opposing defenders after all that work…