It’s now official: Cayden Lindstrom, the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, will not play this season due to his herniated disc.
This news confirms the worst fears of Blue Jackets fans, who see one of the most promising prospects in their history collapse under the weight of his own medical situation and, above all, a lie that has tarnished his reputation.
Meanwhile, Ivan Demidov, selected just after Lindstrom by the Montreal Canadiens, is already establishing himself as a future star of the league, making Columbus’ mistake even more devastating.
Entering the 2023-24 season, Cayden Lindstrom was seen as one of the most impressive players in his draft class.
With an imposing stature of 1.93 m and 98 kilos, combined with remarkable mobility and rare technical ability for a player of his size, he was presented as a prototype of a modern striker, capable of dominating all facets of the game.
His performances with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL, where he scored 27 goals and 46 points in just 32 games, confirmed his immense potential.
However, whispers began to circulate as early as mid-season. Lindstrom was ruled out of the game with an alleged broken hand, but there were also unconfirmed reports of back pain.
Those around him downplayed these rumors, saying it was just a muscle strain. In reality, he was suffering from a herniated disc, a serious and potentially chronic injury for a top athlete.
Despite the warning signs, the Blue Jackets decided to select Lindstrom fourth overall. Their choice was a bold one, driven by the hope that he would overcome his physical issues and become a key player for their franchise.
But the scandal broke shortly after the draft. It was revealed that Lindstrom, with the support of his agent, had deliberately concealed the severity of his back injury to preserve his position in the rankings.
This lie landed Columbus in a difficult situation. Not only had they invested a top draft pick in a player with a concerning medical history, but they now had to deal with the repercussions of a decision based on misleading information.
This situation damaged the organization’s reputation and highlighted the challenges of evaluating prospects transparently.
After hoping for a natural recovery for several months, Lindstrom and the Blue Jackets ultimately opted for surgery.
Although the surgery was declared a success, expectations of a return to play this season were quickly dispelled.
Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell confirmed Lindstrom will not play this year, preferring to take a cautious approach to protect his long-term health.
The young player will continue his rehabilitation in Columbus before returning to Medicine Hat for the 2025-2026 season.
This decision, although medically logical, represents a major blow for the Blue Jackets. Not only are they losing a full season of development for a key player, but they also have to deal with the frustration of fans, who already see this choice as a monumental mistake.
If Lindstrom’s situation is a source of consternation, Ivan Demidov’s is quite the opposite. Selected fifth overall by the Montreal Canadiens, the young Russian prodigy is already proving that he is a special player.
Already an ultra-complete forward, with exceptional vision of the game and unparalleled creativity, Demidov immediately adapted to the KHL, the 2nd best league in the world.
His incredible performances confirmed his status as a rising star. Every goal, every fake, every pass from Demidov is a cruel reminder to Columbus of what they missed.
The Canadian, again criticized for choosing David Reinbacher instead of Matvei Michkov, this time hit a home run, consolidating his core of young talents among the best in the league.
The Blue Jackets’ selection of Lindstrom risks becoming one of the biggest “what ifs” in recent NHL history.
If his injury proves chronic or career-limiting, this decision could be compared to the worst draft mistakes in the league.
What makes the situation even worse is the context of the lie surrounding his selection. The franchise was misled, and it calls into question the reliability of their talent evaluation process.
Fans do not fail to voice their dissatisfaction. On social media, many are criticizing the team’s management for ignoring warning signs and choosing a high-risk player rather than turning to a prodigy like Demidov.
Some are going so far as to call for changes within senior management, believing that this mistake could be costly to the future of the franchise.
Despite everything, it would be premature to bury Cayden Lindstrom’s career. At just 18 years old, he still has time to recover and prove he can become an impact player in the NHL.
His physical and technical qualities remain impressive, and if he can overcome his injuries, he could yet become a key piece for Columbus.
However, the road will be long and strewn with doubts.
Lindstrom will not only have to prove he can stay healthy, but also regain the trust of the organization and fans.
His image has been tarnished by the scandal, and he will have to work twice as hard to erase this stain on his reputation.
The Cayden Lindstrom saga is a stark reminder of the cruel risks of the draft.
For the Blue Jackets, it is a costly lesson, both on a sporting level and in terms of image management.
Meanwhile, Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens can congratulate themselves on their bold choice with Ivan Demidov, who is already establishing himself as a future star…or rather a superstar of the present.
The contrast between these two trajectories could not be more striking. While Columbus struggles to manage a crisis situation, Montreal looks to the future with rose-colored glasses, with a young and talented core like never before.
For the Blue Jackets, the road to redemption will be long, and Lindstrom’s name will forever be associated with one of the most controversial decisions in their history.
