Let’s look back at the last draft for a moment.
In the weeks leading up to the 2024 draft, there was a lot of speculation about whether the Habs would select Cayden Lindstrom, Ivan Demidov or another player.
In the end, Demidov was chosen by the Habs, who had no say in the selection of Cayden Lindstrom, who had been chosen just before by the Blue Jackets.
Lindstrom was known to be recovering from a herniated disc when the Blue Jackets made him fourth overall, but they drafted him because they believe in him for the long term.
They obviously believe he’ll stay healthy during his years in Ohio.
But the fact remains that, at the moment, Lindstrom is still recovering from his injury. As a result, he won’t be able to take part in the Jackets’ rookie tournament in Buffalo next month.
That’s what reporter Aaron Portzline (who covers the Blue Jackets for The Athletic) reported.
The Athletic: Cayden Lindstrom, the Blue Jackets’ No. 4 overall pick in June, has been ruled out of prospects tournament in Buffalo and will likely be “limited” at start of training camp.#CBJ taking ultra patient approach w top prospect’s back injury.https://t.co/HFoPhUzQcx
– Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) August 27, 2024
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Because the prospect hasn’t skated enough this summer, and because he’s still bothered by his boo-boos, he’s really not in a position to play games against other rookies.
He will also be limited to the Jackets’ training camp.
It’s worth mentioning that this comes as no surprise to the NHL club, who knew what they were getting into when they chose him. Don Waddell said he wanted to take his time to get his youngster healthy before (probably) sending him back to the WHL.
Game plan? Get him healthy with the doctors in Columbus, get him to sign his entry-level contract and play him once he’s fully healthy – and not before.
After all, in the big picture of his career, the next few months aren’t the most crucial in terms of playing time. The most important thing is for him to rest and heal himself, to ensure that injuries are limited in the future, when he’ll be a major player in the NHL.
We might also mention, in passing, that Demidov was also injured at the draft, but he seems to have recovered adequately from his injuries – although, once again, it’s in the long term that this will be important.
Ivan Demidov circling the offensive zone before burying the OT winner 😳🔥
(via @HockeyNewsHub) pic.twitter.com/TYjQud1sAy
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) August 24, 2024
Overtime
– Speak of the devil.
Ivan Demidov training outside in St. Petersburg today 🌞 pic.twitter.com/LnlYzRciOk
– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) August 27, 2024
– Things aren’t going well in Boston.
In Boston, making the playoffs is getting harder and harder. https://t.co/OjDtpmk7hM
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) August 27, 2024
– Who will Filip Zadina sign with?
The report about Filip Zadina signing a PTO with the Sabres is inaccurate.
His agent, Darren Ferris, told me that he’s in the process of completing a contract for Zadina with another team.
– Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) August 27, 2024
– Worth watching.
NHL : Impact players still J.A. with compensationhttps://t.co/nnMPpg0SlU
– RDS (@RDSca) August 27, 2024