Detroit Red Wings: Four Players Expected to Compete for One Job

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 12: Nick Jensen #3 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on March 12, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 12: Nick Jensen #3 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on March 12, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)
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Detroit Red Wings
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 02: Gustav Lindstrom #5 of Sweden follows the play against USA during a World Jr. Summer Showcase game at USA Hockey Arena on August 2, 2017 in Plymouth, Michigan. The USA defeated Sweden 3-2. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Gustav Lindstrom

Gustav Lindstrom

Not to be mixed up with Lidstrom but we can only hope he’s half as good.  Gustav Lindstrom is pronounced precisely how half the folks not in the Detroit area, miss-pronounced Nick Lidstrom for years.

The Detroit Red Wings selected Gus Lindstrom with the 38th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Level Draft. Lindstrom has played his last two seasons for a team called Almtuna IS.  Almtuna is the second highest level of professional hockey in Sweden. Lindstrom will turn 20 years of age this coming October.

Lindstrom showed decent statistical improvements last season in the league from the previous season. The previous campaign he recorded a stat line of 39 Games, 6 goals, 8 assists equalling 14 points.  The first year Lindstrom played in more games (48) and recorded less total points (9).  A stat that also improved was his plus/minus.  Two seasons ago Lindstrom was a -11.  Last season Gus improved to become a plus 2.

Lindstrom will need a fantastic camp and pre-season to leapfrog Filip Hronek along with Nick Jensen.  It seems Gus Lindstrom would benefit from a full season in Grand Rapids similar to Filip Hronek.  Lindstrom being right-handed fills a need if not immediately, in the future. It seems teams have been unable to find enough right-handed defenders in recent years.