New York Rangers: Top 10 prospects entering 2018

10. Michael Lindqvist, RW [24] (UDFA)

Stats (Farjestad BK, SHL): 33 gp, 20 g, 14 a, 34 p, 10 PPG, 4 GWG (2 pgp, 2 g, 1 a, 3 p, 1 PPG).

T-15 scoring, T-6 goal scoring (2nd goals/game), 5th pts/g; 1st playoff pts/g, T-64 scoring, T-32 goals

Michael Lindqvist is an excellent goal scorer, someone who took over the SHL, even in a shortened season, and made a huge impact. He was the goal-scoring menace on Farjestad BK that took the team far and was tied for sixth in goal scoring in just 33 games. He was second on the team in goals per game. Even with 10 of those goals coming on the power play, that was an impressive season from the Swede.

Michael Lindqvist is an excellent goal scorer, someone who took over the SHL, even in a shortened season, and made a huge impact

Lindqvist was also first in points per game in the playoffs with more than one appearance, scoring a goal per game. Even in just two games, Lindqvist was tied for 32nd in goals in the SHL playoffs. Lindqvist had four game-winning goals in the regular season and was tied for 15th in point production, fifth in points per game. Those are impressive numbers, and he should be shaping up for a good position in the NHL.

The biggest problem with Lindqvist is that he’s 24 and has never played in North America. That puts a hamper on his effectiveness at the NHL level, and also on his ceiling. He’s not quite NHL ready, likely starting the year in the AHL, and will need to prove himself at that level first. He needs to score a few goals and get used to competing against players of his calibre and better. Then he could make a useful middle-six goal scorer.