Blackhawks could shock everyone by selecting Cayden Lindstrom at No. 2 overall

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Joshua Deeds
June 11, 2024 (5:19 PM)

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GM Kyle Davidson hasn't been specific on what player the Chicago Blackhawks will select 2nd overall in the 2024 NHL Draft.

With Macklin Celebrini being the consensus 1st overall pick, after San Jose is finished, the Blackhawks have a plethora of great talent to choose from. While there are many great defenseman at the top of the draft, this doesn't necessarily fit with what the Hawks need.

Blackhawks Needs

The forward core for the Blackhawks needs more addition, as compared to the defensive depth, the team could add a top talent with a pick from the 2024 draft.

The Blackhawks could change it up instead of going Artyom Levshunov and select 6'4" Cayden Lindstrom instead.

Lindstrom has been projected as a top-5 pick and wouldn't slide to 18th should the Blackhawks miss the chance of selecting him. It may seem unreasonable to pass up Ivan Demidov or Artyom Levshunov for Lindstrom, but he could be a force to deal with when he fully develops and is NHL-ready.

Injury Issues

Due to an injury he only played 32 games this season, which could cause hesitation for many NHL teams. But he is already working on recovery and his on-ice work speaks for itself: Lindstrom's totals this season in 32 games were 46 points( 27 G, 19 A).

The 6'4" center has speed and size many teams covet, and according to Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News, he is projected to be a top pick in the draft.

1-2 Punch

Lindstrom's size and speed allow him to cut through defenses, and let him keep his pace at a goal per game during the season. Lindstrom himself thinks the best part of his game is his speed:

"is my speed. I like using my speed. I love going fast. I love protecting the puck and getting off the wall and charging the net in the paint."

Lindstrom's deadly in the offensive zone, with his hands being used down low on the twig, and his capabilities lend well to him being the perfect center to line up behind Connor Bedard in the Blackhawks system.

Giving the Hawks a great 1-2 punch down the middle, this could ease up pressure on players like Lukas Reichel and Oliver Moore in the future as well.

And the cherry on top of all this is, he's creative with the puck and not afraid of going on defense.

Don't count on Lindstrom being passed on early in the 1st round of the draft.

Source: The Hockey News
Cayden Lindstrom Could Be the Right Pick at No. 2 for the Blackhawks