There are less than two weeks until the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The Anaheim Ducks have the third pick in this year's draft and will have several promising players to choose from. Despite the high pick, it is difficult to predict who will be selected. The San Jose Sharks will likely select Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick, but the Chicago Blackhawks will be next to make the first real decision of the draft.
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In the final weeks leading up to the draft, we take a look at who Anaheim could potentially acquire with the third overall pick. So far, we've looked at Anton Siraev and Ivan Demidov. Today, we'll take a look at our first North American prospect, center Kayden Lindstrom of the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). A tall power forward, Lindstrom is a unique commodity that sits at the top of this year's draft class. Combined with the fact that he seems to fit the mold that general manager Pat Verbeek is building, it's believable to see Lindstrom in the orange and black on draft night.
Lindstrom is a perfect fit for Verbeek's type.
Lindstrom has a commanding presence on the ice. At 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds, he's an NHL-sized power forward with a strong will in the WHL. He uses his size well, including his long reach and willingness to fight along the boards. He's also a strong skater, which helps him play 200 feet. He has a high motor and is involved on both ends of the ice. Lindstrom took his offensive game to a new level in his start for the Tigers in the 2023-24 season, recording 46 points (26 goals, 20 assists) in 32 games before being shut down by a back injury. He returned in time for the postseason, but was still dealing with back issues. He recorded just two points in four games in the playoffs.
Like any top prospect, Lindstrom is by no means a sure thing. His breakout season was cut short by a herniated disk in his back. While the back issues have been a concern at times, he was able to test at the NHL Draft Combine in early June. Even though he overcame the back injury, his elevation in the draft position is based on a 32-game sample. And that's before we even address concerns about the power forward's ability to play against teenagers in major juniors and translate to adults in the NHL.
Looking at Verbeek’s personnel decisions since taking over as general manager in 2022, the selection of Lindstrom can be considered a given. Lindstrom has a fairly similar profile to Leo Karlsson, Anaheim’s No. 2 overall pick in 2023. Both are power forwards, and Karlsson was selected over Adam Fantilli because he had a better motor and hockey IQ. Verbeek also acquired Cutter Gautier, a 200-foot power forward and offensive sharpshooter, in a trade. With other playmakers in the top six, such as Trevor Zegras, Mason McTavish, and Troy Terry, the Ducks lack a presence in front of the net. Lindstrom could be a player in front of the net who scores off deflections and rebounds. If he converts to a wing, he would be one-third of a potentially dominant top line that includes himself, Karlsson, and Gautier.
Lindstrom seems like a good fit for the Ducks, but there should be some great options at No. 3 overall. With less than two weeks until the draft, we'll continue to profile some of those top prospects, including Carter Jakemchuk, who could fill the gap left by Jamie Drysdale in the right-handed defense. We'll also do a three-round mock draft with all seven of Anaheim's selections.
