At the end of October, Gustav Lindström’s cell phone rang because David Savard had just fallen in combat.
At the time, we might have believed in nothing other than an emergency call, the kind of call a player can receive from a boss during a season, and in this specific case, undoubtedly that Lindström was only going to pass, he who had started the season with the Rocket, in the American League, after being ignored on waivers.
But almost two months and 12 games later, and after suffering another dismissal to the American League in early November, he is still here.
“I feel more and more comfortable with this team,” noted the 25-year-old defender Tuesday noon in the Canadiens locker room in Brossard. I feel more and more comfortable with our game system too, and I hope that continues. I still have some small details to correct, because there are things here that are different from what I had to do in Laval, but otherwise, it’s fine. »
We could even add that it’s going quite well, thank you. Because Lindström, obviously, is gaining the trust of Martin St-Louis; he was sent on the ice for more than 17 minutes in five of the Canadiens’ last six games, in addition to sharing time with Mike Matheson and Kaiden Guhle. Twice, he crossed the 20 minute mark of play.
Not to be overlooked either: he has scored twice in his last four games.
PHOTO ERIC BOLTE, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Gustav Lindström after scoring against the Calgary Flames.
“He is consistent and he knows who he is,” replied Martin St-Louis about him on Tuesday noon. He gives us good minutes of play, and he deserves those minutes. »
In his own opinion, it’s a bit of a form of rebirth that the Swedish defender is experiencing these days.
Just remember that the Detroit Red Wings sent him here last summer as part of the Jeff Petry trade, probably thinking they already knew everything there was to know about this man they drafted in the second round in 2017.
“Even though I played almost 40 games in Detroit last season, there were so many nights where I didn’t play, and when I did play, it was barely 10 minutes… So it’s funny to say, but I was happy to go to Laval to start the season, happy to have fun again, trying to make the best of this situation. »
You never know how many chances you’re going to get in this league… When I got traded, it was like a new start, a new opportunity to prove myself. It was a form of rebirth for me; I was in Detroit for four years, and I felt a little stuck there.
Gustav Lindström
The following ? Gustav Lindström doesn’t know her, nor does anyone else. This is why he will continue to play here as long as the Canadian wants him, who is without a contract for next season.
“I continue to feel good with this team,” he added. It’s good to be with a young team, and it’s exciting too…”
In short
Treatments for Matheson, return shortly for Savard
Defenseman Mike Matheson did not take part in Tuesday’s practice in Brossard due to a day of treatment. David Savard was there, and he looks like a defender who should be able to return to the game shortly. The veteran has been injured since October 23, having suffered a broken left hand during a game against the Buffalo Sabres. Martin St-Louis announced that Savard would not be able to take part in the club’s next game, Thursday night at the Bell Center against the Los Angeles Kings.
A visit before another visit
Some Canadiens players were treated to a private puck throwing lesson before Tuesday’s practice in Brossard. Thus, Juraj Slafkovsky, Christian Dvorak and Kaiden Guhle received a visit from Glen Tucker, “Dr. Shot” for short, a shooting specialist who has already offered some advice to others in this league, notably David Pastrnak, of the Bruins from Boston. After training, the members of the Canadiens headed to the CHU Sainte-Justine, the Montreal Children’s Hospital and the Shriners Hospital for Children–Canada, as part of their annual holiday visit to children sick.