People have been in awe of Carl Lindbom since he was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the seventh round of the 2021 NHL Draft (222nd overall). The goaltender had a GAA of 2.65 and a save percentage of .912 on a bad Henderson Silver Knights team, propelling himself to stardom.
The season before? He had a GAA of 2.12 and a save percentage of .911 with two shutouts with Farjestad BK. Mind you, he was on a loan in the SHL. That's what boosts his value to new levels.
There's no doubt next season will have plenty of eyeballs on him. He has a chance to shock many people and make his presence felt in the NHL. He also has the opportunity to elevate the Silver Knights to a place they've been before: Calder Cup champions.
Will next season be the year that Lindbom makes the jump to the big leagues? Or will he get some more seasoning before his time eventually comes? That's the big conundrum and it's more complex than people think.
The current goaltender situation
Believe it or not, the Vegas Golden Knights don't necessarily need a goaltender in free agency. They have a plethora of talent waiting in the wings, ranging from Lindbom to Akira Schmid. These young stars can step in and back up Adin Hill, even taking over the starting goaltender job if he's injured.
That actually leads to the next point: Schmid himself. The Swiss netminder was solid in his short stint with the Golden Knights this past season. In five total games, Schmid posted a GAA of 1.26 and a save percentage of .944. He was good enough to earn a backup role behind Hill during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Will that momentum carry over into next season? There is one thing that the 25-year-old has over Lindbom: size. Schmid stands at a mean 6'5" and weighs 205 pounds, while the Swedish prospect is 6'1".
It's easier for Schmid in net since he doesn't have to maneuver as much. His size simply takes up more space. As long as he learns to use his size to swallow shots, he'll be a better fit.
Compare that to Lindbom, who relies on quick, calculated movements to make saves. Being more athletic has its perks, specifically if you're looking to stop more odd-man rushes.
Where I think Lindbom stands for next season
Do I think Lindbom will make an appearance next season? Absolutely. His trajectory as a goaltender has soared beyond what Golden Knights fans could have imagined. When you buoy an awful Silver Knights team throughout the 2024-25 AHL season, you deserve some love.
However, I think he'll get some appearances when a goaltender goes down or doesn't perform. No, that doesn't concern Adin Hill unless it's an injury. Instead, it's Schmid you need to worry about.
Will he extend his stellar performance from his prior season? That remains to be seen. However, you can bet that it'll be considered by the Golden Knights coaching staff when the 2025-26 season rolls around.
As for the Silver Knights prospect? There's nothing wrong with a little more seasoning (especially if it's on chicken). Getting some more time in the AHL didn't hurt anybody. He'll get more time at the NHL level, especially if he has another stellar season.
Things will be tougher to navigate, considering Adin Hill is sticking around. However, the Golden Knights have a good problem on their hands, should things go awry in the future. It's even better that Pete DeBoer isn't around to backstab a goaltender in the process.