Columbus Blue Jackets select Cayden Lindstrom No. 4 overall in 2024 NHL Draft

The xx were never going to have a shot at Macklin Celebrini. But Cayden Lindstrom makes for one heck of a consolation prize up the middle.

On Friday at The Sphere in Las Vegas, the Columbus Blue Jackets took the towering center in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft, No. 4 overall.

While No. 1 overall pick Celebrini was the obvious consensus choice as the top pivot in the draft class, many prognosticators, including Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis, rated Lindstrom as the second-best center. Lindstrom is already a sturdy 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds. His power forward game has drawn comparisons to Hall of Famer Eric Lindros.

Lindstrom was dominant with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers this past season – when he was able to suit up. He racked up 27 goals and 46 points in just 32 games, not to mention 66 penalty minutes, but his campaign was shortened by 36 games due to a hand injury and, later, a back injury. With Medicine Hat bowing out quickly in the WHL playoffs as well, he only got into four additional games. Scouts thus didn’t get as long of a look as they may have hoped for. Nevertheless, he’s a tantalizing prospect. He’s simultaneously a blunt and a sharp instrument, capable of running opponents over but also blessed with excellent skating ability, especially for a big guy.

Historically, many big forwards take a bit of extra time to develop into their bodies, from Joe Thornton to Tage Thompson to Quinton Byfield. Even Lindros played an extra year before debuting in the NHL. So it’s probable that Lindstrom spends another season in major junior despite the fact he already has a man’s build. He has also yet to represent Canada at the World Junior Championship and theoretically should be a strong candidate to crack the 2025 squad.

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