Blazers ready for name to be called at NHL Draft in Montreal

Lindgren is following his father’s footsteps. His dad by the same name, Mats Lindgren, was taken 15th overall by Winnipeg in the 1993 NHL Draft in Quebec.

The Blazers D-man, who is ranked 47th among North American skaters entering the draft, has met with multiple teams who like his speed and agility.

“The positive things in those meetings is obviously my skating ability, they talk a lot about that, my ability to see through players, see through layers, and then my offensive side — the way I walk the blue line — the way I’m able to create plays and create offense for my team. They really like when I’m playing my offensive, creative style. They love that,” said the younger Lindgren.

Meanwhile, Minten is ranked a little higher than Lindgren — 28th among North American skaters — which makes him a potentially first-round selection.

Minten wouldn’t say which teams have talked with him, but hinted at the Arizona Coyotes, who have seven of the first 45 picks, including two late first-round selections (27th and 32nd) and four selections early in the second round.

Minten himself expected to go early Friday morning during rounds two to seven.

“I’m not trying to put any expectations really. For me, any results I’m happy with. It would be a dream come true to go to any place and any spot in the draft,” he told CFJC Today on Thursday morning. “I’m not overly concerned about going tonight or tomorrow. It’s going on the stage versus the table, it’s about the only difference.”

Minten notched 20 goals and 35 assists this season, but has been praised for his two-way game.

“For the most part, teams really respect the way I play on both sides of the puck. They think I play quite mature defensively for my age. That’s appealing to them,” he noted. “I think teams really like me as having pretty high offensive upside as well, so I think they see me as a well-rounded player that will be able to help out in many ways.”

Goaltender Dylan Ernst is ranked 30th among North American goalies entering the draft.

The first round of the NHL Draft begins at 4 p.m. PT.

by Chad Klassen

Blazers ready for name to be called at NHL Draft in Montreal

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