Lindstrom will head to Michigan State ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Lindstrom was unable to play for WHL Medicine Hat due to injuries this season but did manage to play in four postseason contests for the Tigers in which he generated two goals and two assists. Selected by the Jackets with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, the 19-year-old center will make the jump to collegiate hockey rather than returning to juniors next year. Given his offensive upside, fantasy managers probably shouldn't be expecting Lindstrom to spend a full four years at Michigan State.

Lindstrom will play in Friday's WHL playoff game between Medicine Hat and Spokane.

EDGE Analysis

Lindstrom battled a long-term back injury which required a November microdiscectomy procedure to alleviate nerve pain. It was unclear if he was going to be able to play at all in 2024-25, but Medicine Hat's run to the WHL Finals afforded Lindstrom enough time to get back in the lineup. He missed over a year of action, and as such, the 19-year-old center is likely to spend all of 2025-26 in the junior ranks to catch up on lost development time.

Lindstrom skated for the first time last week since undergoing a microdiscectomy to alleviate nerve pain in his back in November, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reported Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

General manager Don Waddell said that Lindstrom's recovery program is in five parts and he is in Part 3 at this time. Lindstrom, who was selected fourth overall in 2024, is slated to see a doctor next week, and if he is ready, he will be able to start skating hard, albeit with no contact. The talented Lindstrom is on track with the recovery schedule surgeons gave out after his Nov. 20 surgery. Lindstrom had 27 goals in 32 WHL games with Medicine Hat last season, missing the second half of the campaign with hand and back injuries.

Lindstrom has a microdiscectomy to alleviate nerve pain in his back and is expected to make a full recovery, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lindstrom will be out for at least another month before he begins working his way back into game shape. Once he's cleared to return, look for the 18-year-old center to spend some time in the minors in the minors with AHL Cleveland, but fantasy players can probably expect him to play a handful of games in the NHL later in the year.