It’s something about those Swedish centres.
When the Flames picked Linus Lindstrom in the fourth round of the 2016 draft, they brought in a long-term project. That’s not unusual for mid to late round European picks, but Lindstrom has been making positive strides faster than expected. The 6’0″, 165 lb. left-shooting Swede has made his name for his defensive abilities, honing his skill in the SHL where few teenagers see ice time. This is in addition to a strong silver medal appearance at the World Juniors, where he handled some of the tougher matchups for Team Sweden. His strong season means he has catapulted from honourable mention to #12 this year.