• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings Prospects

Red Wings & Blashill Like What They See From Lindstrom

By Nolan Bianchi February 13th, 2020

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

It’s a small sample size, sure, but that won’t stop Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill from being optimistic about the early returns on 21-year-old Swedish defenseman Gustav Lindstrom.

The 38th-overall pick in 2017, Lindstrom kicked off his North American career this season with a 45-game stint with the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins. He was recalled to Detroit last Wednesday, getting 12:07 of ice time in his NHL debut the next night, a 4-3 shootout win in Buffalo against the Sabres.

Making his NHL debut, Gustav Lindstrom is our @Huntington_Bank Player to Watch! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/b97lgKOuG5

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 6, 2020

The Red Wings return to Buffalo Tuesday with Lindstrom trending in an upward direction through three games. He was forced into playing just over 20 minutes during Friday night’s 2-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, after Madison Bowey suffered an eye injury and left the game. Lindstrom performed admirably in the enhanced role, though he did get tagged with a minus-1 on the game-winning goal by the Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski during a delayed penalty, (from ‘Red Wings’ Madison Bowey relieved that stick to the eye didn’t cause serious injury,’ Detroit News, 02/10/2020).

Slow Your Roll

Blashill told reports prior to Sunday’s 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins that he doesn’t want to get ahead of himself, but Lindstrom’s performance over his first two games confirmed what many already knew: the kid can play.

“First off, I’d say it’s two games,” Blashill said. “I’m always cautiously optimistic to not get too excited one way or the other. I would say that I’m not necessarily surprised, given the reports I was given.”

What’s most noticeable about Lindstrom’s game, Blashill said, is that he possesses all the key attributes that are associated with finding longevity in the league.

“What Gus does well, if he’s playing his best, is he defends, he’s super competitive, and he moves the puck. If you do those three things, you’re going to play a long time in the National Hockey League. He’s also smart, so those four things, I should say,” Blashill said.

Blashill Bylsma Red Wings bench
Coaches Blashill and Bylsma, Detroit Red Wings – Dec. 18, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

There’s also the fact that, at other times, he hasn’t been noticeable at all. That’s a good sign for a shutdown defenseman, especially one just getting his feet wet in the NHL. Red Wings goaltender Jonathan Bernier attributed that to Lindstrom’s composure with the puck:

“I think his poise is very good. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes,” Bernier said after Sunday’s game. “If he doesn’t have a pass, he just picks it up. He doesn’t try to do too much, keeps it simple, and to be honest, I haven’t really noticed that he’s missed a one-on-one battle there, so he’s a strong kid, too.”

Killin’ It

Lindstrom’s usage on the penalty kill has also steadily risen over his first three games. He played 0:04 on Thursday, 1:21 Friday, and 2:04 during in Sunday’s win over the Bruins.

Blashill said that he intends for Lindstrom to expand that role, and while it’s still too early to tell where he’ll fall in the pecking order of Detroit’s future D-core, it’s clear that his coach has him earmarked as one of the team’s best young penalty killers.

“He’s a penalty killer, that’s what he’s going to be good at,” Blashill said. “There’s probably a few areas he’s got to get better at with our system, not that ours is way different than Grand Rapids, but there’s probably some nuances he’s got to get comfortable with, just what happens a little quicker. But he is really, really smart. The game of hockey is super chaotic, and you need guys that can make good decisions, and he makes good decisions.”

The North American Way

International leagues typically use larger rinks with more room to roll, whereas this side of the Atlantic likes it tight — which means lot of chip-outs, dump-ins, and good ol’ fashioned crashing and bashing. The transition to the North American style hasn’t been a point of concern for Lindstrom. Before this season began, he told reporters, “I like the smaller rinks. I think it fits me well.”

Gustav Lindstrom Team Sweden
Gustav Lindstrom, Team Sweden, World Jr. Summer Showcase, August 2, 2017. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)

Lindstrom can do both. He’s used to the wider space from his time in Europe, which benefits a defenseman looking to rip a tape-to-tape breakout pass out of the defending zone, or freewheel with a full head of steam through the neutral zone. But what’s impressed Blashill is his ability to recognize “what the opponent is giving,” and flip the puck off high glass successfully with an elite forechecker in his face.

“I think the thing with the NHL that’s different than international hockey is that the forecheck is extremely aggressive and extremely hard. When you run out of space, you have to use the window,” Blashill said. “If there’s tape-to-tape passes to be made, let’s make them all night long. When you run out of room, especially the teams, which is a majority of the NHL, that comes down the walls really, really hard, then you’re forced to make hard plays. When you make hard plays, make them hard, and make sure they end up by the far blue.”

Temper, Temper

Not a whole lot is going right for the Red Wings right now, which can make any small victory — seriously, any small victory — feel like a first-round playoff win. Lindstrom’s arrival fits that description.

Steve Yzerman, Christopher Ilitch
Steve Yzerman and Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. after Yzerman is introduced as the new executive vice president and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

His brief NHL career has been impressive, and there is ample reason to be excited about an eventual full-time promotion. Fans have been hurt enough this season already, though, so it’s probably best to temper expectations. Growth also means mistakes, and the Wings’ shiny new toy will make them. But hey, at least they haven’t broken it yet.

Get the latest Detroit Red Wings news, rumors, commentary and analysis

  • Tags
  • Gustav Lindstrom
  • Jeff Blashill
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 16th 6:10 PM
Hockey History

25 Best Senators’ Memories From 25 Years at Canadian Tire Centre

Jan 16th 6:00 PM
Anaheim Ducks

Ducks Prospects: Colangelo, Andersson, Drew & More

Jan 16th 5:50 PM
Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Need Taxi Squad to Drive Better Results in Net

Jan 16th 5:40 PM
Women's Hockey

Toronto Six 2021 Season Preview

Jan 16th 5:30 PM
Winnipeg Jets

Jets Have a lot of Options to Deal With Laine

Jan 16th 5:20 PM
Dallas Stars

Stars’ COVID-19 Cases Could Cost Them

Jan 16th 4:25 PM
Column

Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Campbell, Andersen, Tavares & Robertson

Jan 16th 4:15 PM
Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning Look to Benefit From Week Off

Jan 16th 3:05 PM
Montreal Canadiens

Josh Anderson’s Canadiens Debut Should Make Marc Bergevin Proud

Jan 16th 2:55 PM
Other Leagues

OHL Would Benefit From 24-Game Season

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information