Ladies and gentlemen, it finally happened. Carl Lindbom got the call-up for the Vegas Golden Knights. With Adin Hill injured and Carter Hart staying with the Golden Knights on a two-year deal, the goaltender situation suddenly has depth. But we're talking about Lindbom here, who's received numerous accolades in the minor league system.
For example, he had a GAA of 2.65 and a save percentage of .912 with the Henderson Silver Knights last season. Mind you, this was a mediocre Silver Knights club that finished last in the Pacific Division.
But seriously, this is the moment hardcore fans have waited for. With all the hype and fanfare surrounding the netminder, it's time to see what he's capable of. After all, he's already picking up where he left off from last season. Lindbom already has a GAA of 1.00 and a save percentage of .958 (yes, I know it's two games, but still).
So, let's look at everyone's favorite little prospect and see what's in store for him. What should fans expect when he enters the net on the road trip? What makes him unique as a goaltender that should have Golden Knights fans excited? Let's get to meet everyone's favorite prospect and see what he can do for Vegas on the trip!
What will Carl Lindbom bring to the Vegas Golden Knights that he had with the Henderson Silver Knights?
Immediately, you'll notice that Lindbom isn't the biggest goaltender on the team. He stands at 6'1" and weighs 190 lbs. Compare that to other Golden Knights goaltenders such as Adin Hill and Akira Schmid and that puts him at a disadvantage.
Here, Hill and Schmid can use their size to take up space. It makes life easier for them since they can use their bodies to swallow shots. For Lindbom, he must use quick movements and sharp angles to take away that space. Luckily, he can make these movements without any problems.
The Swedish netminder brings a cerebral approach, watching opposing offenses with precision. He sees the setup unfold and attacks when ready, making the preceding move to strike. It's what made him one of the best prospects in the system.
But he needs more experience at the NHL level to be serviceable. Treading slowly with his development will be vital to making him an NHL-ready goaltender. After all, it's not often you see someone play in the NHL after one full season with the AHL club.
Making your debut on an East Coast gauntlet isn't the most ideal situation. When that trip is against the Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes, that could make matters much more complicated. However, one man is capable of taking on that task. His name? Carl Lindbom.