MLive’s Ansar Khan continues to rank the Red Wings’ top prospects today, continuing a list which he began on Tuesday.
Today’s rankings, of prospects 11 through 15, include one of my favorite Wings prospects:
14. Gustav Lindstrom, defenseman
Height/weight: 6-2/187
Drafted: Second round 2017 (No. 38)
2019-20 club: Grand Rapids (AHL)/Detroit (NHL)
2019-20 stats: Grand Rapids 45 GP, 0 G, 5 A, 5 PT, 26 PM; Detroit 16 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PT, 14 PM
A stay-at-home defender who plays a simple game, he defends, moves the puck out of his zone efficiently and competes. He will provide little offense, focusing more on keeping the puck out of his team’s net. Injuries afforded him an opportunity at the end of 2019-20 but he must earn a roster spot in training camp. He has been loaned to Almtuna, his former Swedish club, until camps open.
Continued; to me, there’s no shame in being a “complementary part,” and Gustav Lindstrom is exactly that kind of player. He’s a 2nd pair defenseman, and he may never light it up offensively, but he’s useful at even strength and on the penalty-kill, he’s getting stronger, he’s improving his skating, and he could be a useful 2nd pair guy for another decade.
You don’t win with stars alone; if you don’t have a good supporting cast of players who are comfortable taking on secondary and tertiary roles, like Gustav Lindstrom and Givani Smith, you can’t build a competitive team.
