Cayden Lindstrom 2024 NHL Draft projection: 3 potential landing spots for Canadian forward

The first round of the 2024 NHL draft is set for Friday in Las Vegas and one of the top prospects is Cayden Lindstrom. Lindstrom is a centerman for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL.

Lindstrom is ranked as TSN's Bob McKenzie's fifth-ranked player heading into the draft, and one NHL scout told McKenzie that they view Lindstrom as a potential No. 1 center in the league.

“He has all the tools — size, strength, power, skating, skill, toughness — you would want in a No. 1 NHL power-scoring centre,” said one scout. “He won’t be the stereotypical No. 1 point-producing centre because he’s a shooter, not a passer, but he’s mean and aggressive, too. What’s not to like?”

Ahead of the 2024 NHL draft, here are three potential landing spots for Cayden Lindstrom.

3 landing spots for Cayden Lindstrom in the 2024 NHL draft

#1. Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets at fourth overall is very intriguing heading into the NHL draft. Columbus has been linked to multiple players, but Cayden Lindstrom has been a popular pick for them.

The Blue Jackets drafted Adam Fantilli last season. They can go out and add Lindstrom to get their top centermen for the foreseeable future.

#2. Montreal Canadiens

If the Columbus Blue Jackets take Ivan Demidov fourth overall, the Montreal Canadiens could very well select Cayden Lindstrom fifth overall.

Lindstrom could come in and play right away in the NHL and be their second-line center. It's also a good spot for him to be part of the rebuilding Canadiens and develop with his fellow young players.

#3. Utah

Cayden Lindstrom is likely to go fourth or fifth overall, but if he falls to sixth, Utah should jump at the chance to select him.

Utah is a rebuilding team, and the best way to rebuild is to get defensemen and centremen.