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Oscar Lindberg – First Vegas Golden Knights Star?

By Richard Cardinale

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 21: Oscar Lindberg is selected by the Las Vegas Golden Knights during the 2017 NHL Awards and Expansion Draft at T-Mobile Arena on June 21, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 21: Oscar Lindberg is selected by the Las Vegas Golden Knights during the 2017 NHL Awards and Expansion Draft at T-Mobile Arena on June 21, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Vegas Golden Knights center Oscar Lindberg has all the tools to take a giant step forward.

The beat goes on for the Vegas Golden Knights this offseason. The club recently signed a third string goaltender to help backup Marc-Andre Fleury and Calvin Pickard. They’ve also signed restricted free agent Teemu Pulkkinen to a one-year deal and shipped Marcus Kruger to Carolina.

But there was one player transaction that overshadowed others, and that is the signing of restricted free agent Oscar Lindberg. That’s important due to the fact the team had the opportunity to take goaltender Antti Raanta. Lindberg will get paid 3.4 million dollars over the next two years. I believe the Skelleftea, Sweden native will have a breakout year in 2017-18.

Think about it, Lindberg notched just eight goals and 12 assists last season but recorded 13 goals and 15 assists in his rookie year. And with the lack of top-tier talent on the Vegas roster, Lindberg will be given every opportunity to compete for a top-six role.

It’s no secret that the 25-year old has great hockey sense and loves to play on both sides of the puck. But Head Coach Gerard Gallant is going to want more offense from the talented centerman. You can already tell the skill level is there, check out this highlight-reel goal from last season. Poor Brandon Carlo.

Lindberg’s versatile so he can play both center and the wing which could make him deadly if he improves his overall game. He often plays on special teams and doesn’t make many mistakes with the puck. I believe he’ll take another step in his development and improve his shot and playmaking ability.

However, I do think he’ll struggle at first even if he does get penciled in on one of the first two lines out of camp. We have to remember this team is not going to be scoring a ton of goals this season. And most of these players that usually played on the third line on their former club will now have to play against opposing teams best lines.

Next: Nicolas Hague - Steal of The 2017 NHL Entry Draft?

If Lindberg can play his game in bigger roles against tough matchups and brings the game to game consistency, general manager George McPhee will look like a genius. The sky is the limit, especially in this situation. Golden Knights fans will become quickly attached to Lindberg and his hard work that he displays on the ice. But he very well could be one of McPhee’s core pieces and first star of this franchise.

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