Flames Select Linus Lindstrom at 96 Overall

Calgary added another centre to the depth chart today, picking 6′, 160 pound Swedish pivot Linus Lindstrom. 

Described as an offensively capable, playmaking C by scouts, Lindstrom bounced between Sweden’s various elite and super elite leagues last year. He mostly stuck with the Skalleftea U20 club, where he managed 44 points in 40 games and served as the club’s alternate captain.   

Lindstrom was ranked as the 10th best European skater by Central Scouting this year and ranged as high as 63rd overall (Hockey Prospects) to 115 (McKeens) by the various in depend outfits. Obviously a player who inspired widely diverging opinions. 

Lindstrom is definitely a longer term project. He’s still a string bean at  just 160 pounds and he hasn’t seen much pro action overseas, which is usually the next step for truly NHL capable prospects. We’ll see if he takes a step forward (and adds some weight) next year.