It was the Spring of 2013. A Wednesday in early April, I believe. A phone call between expansion cousins and a trade that would change the future of both franchises for years to come.
That’s right. I’m talking about the Tobias Lindberg trade.
It happened on Trade Deadline Day 2013. The Ottawa Senators would end up sending one of their extras goalies (his name escapes me right now) to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Cory Conacher and a 4th round pick.
Ottawa had other options too. There was talk of the Edmonton Oilers offering Ryan Jones and a pick while the Senators also held lengthy discussions with the Philadelphia Flyers about centre Sean Couturier. But that 4th round pick the Lightning were offering. It caught Murray’s eye. And the Senators’ General Manager went for it.In the end, Bryan Murray pulled the trigger on the deal with the Lightning and the rest as they say, is history.
That 4th round pick (102nd overall in the 2013 Draft) ended up being Oshawa Generals star Tobias Lindberg. The 19 year old Swede has had a breakout season in his first year in the Ontario Hockey League. After racking up 32 goals and 78 points during the regular season, Lindberg has hovered around a point a game in the playoffs too, with 19 points in 21 games.
His Generals are now 2-0 in the Memorial Cup. Lindberg has scored in both games.
We’re not done yet! Tobias Lindberg ties the game with a power-play goal late in the third http://t.co/J72J2ZqgxF
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 24, 2015
Lindberg is a powerful skater with a big shot. Selected one pick after Nick Paul (we’ll revisit the Nick Paul trade another day), Lindberg has quickly become one of the most intriguing prospects in the Senators’ system.
After a couple of season in Sweden, Lindberg made the decision to come over to North America to adjust to this style of game. And obviously it has worked out for him. Lindberg has been one of Oshawa’s best players all season long and has been key piece in their run to the Memorial Cup.
There’s no sure things when it comes to draft picks but full credit to Bryan Murray and his staff for seeing the value in that 4th rounder.
You can be certain that General Manager of the Year nominee Steve Yzerman will think twice before he gives away one of his draft picks to Bryan Murray in the future.
…
Seriously though, Tobias Lindberg looks like a pretty good prospect.
