Mattias Lindstrom

History

2008-09: Mattias Lindström played seven games with Skelleftea of the Swedish Elite League — scoring once. He played most of the season with Skelleftea's U-20 team, scoring 8 goals with 5 assists and had 46 PIM in 31 games. Lindström played for Team Sweden in the WJC U-18 tournament and had no points with 4 PIM in six games.  Chosen in the 3rd round (88th overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes.

2009-10: Lindström suffered an injury during pre-season training and played one game with Skelleftea's U-20 team but re-injured the knee and underwent season-ending knee surgery. He was expected to attend the Hurricanes' conditioning camp in July but was not there.

2010-11: Mattias Lindstrom saw limited ice time with Skelleftea of the Swedish Elite League as well as competing for the club's junior team. Lindstrom averaged less than six minutes in 11 regular season games and was scoreless with a -1 plus/minus with 8 PMs. He saw even less time in the playoffs (just over three minutes per game) but appeared in 9 of Skelleftea's 18 playoff games as Skelleftea reached the Elitserien finals. He had no points or penalties in the playoffs. Lindstrom played 33 games (including playoff games) for Skelleftea's junior team and scored 3 goals with 10 assists and had 42 PMs. While his offensive numbers weren't particularly impressive, the fact that he was able to compete after serious knee surgery the previous season impressed Carolina brass and he was signed to a three-year, entry level contract in June 2011.

2011-12: Lindstrom skated for Tingsryds in Sweden's second league, AllSvenskan. In 34 games he had 3 assists and was minus-nine with 16 penalty minutes. Tingsryd finished 12th in the 14-team league. The Panthers obtained the NHL rights to Lindstrom in January 2012 as part of the four-player trade that sent Evgeni Dadonov to the Hurricanes.

2012-13: Lindstrom played a lower line role for the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones in his first season in North America. In 49 regular season games he scored 4 goals with 9 assists and was +1 with 54 penalty minutes. Cincinnati finished first in the North Division and reached the Eastern Conference finals. Lindstrom played in 13 of 17 playoff games and was +1 with 1 assist and 8 penalty minutes.

Talent Analysis

Lindström is a strong winger who plays a physical game and is at his best along the boards and in the corners. He is not particularly fleet of foot, but he uses his size and strength well. Lindstrom takes care of his defensive responsibilities and his hockey sense and puck skills are improving, but he is not much of a scoring threat.

Future

With his first year in North America now behind him, Lindstrom will attempt to climb to the next level and win a job with the Rampage in the AHL. However, with tough competition in place, he may end up back in the ECHL in order to receive extended ice time to help him further acclimate to the North American style of play.