Detroit Red Wings
Former Red Wings Defenseman Heading to Europe
Lindstrom signs with Djurgarden
At one time, the Detroit Red Wings were holding high hopes that Gustav Lindstrom would be able to solidify a position on the club’s defense.
“He’ll play a contained type game, which is fine,” former Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said of Lindstrom in 2022. “I like the way he skates. He breaks pucks out, he helps us in transition.”
Gustav Lindstrom first NHL goal alert! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/yCWvR8aFiE
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 15, 2022
Lindstrom would play 135 games for Detroit from 2019-23, producing two goals and 23 assists. He also played 58 AHL games for the Grand Rapids Griffins.
It didn’t take long for NHL opponents to unearth the weakness in Lindstrom’s game, mainly his below-average footwork on his skates. Soon, they were exploiting his shortcomings.
Red Wings Dealt Lindstrom To Canadiens
In the summer of 2023, the Red Wings would deal the right-shot Swedish defender to the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman Jeff Petry. Lindstrom wasn’t able to land regular NHL work with the Habs, nor at his most recent NHL stop, with the Anaheim Ducks.
Thursday, he was opting to give up on the NHL dream. Lindstrom was choosing to return to Sweden and sign with Djurgarden.
📃✍🏻 Djurgården välkomnar med stor glädje Gustav Lindström till föreningen. Den 26-årige försvararen, med 174 matcher i NHL och ett SM-guld, har skrivit på ett femårigt avtal som sträcker sig till 2030.
▶️ Läs mer på https://t.co/81KFruaCez.#DIFHockey | #AlltidOavsett pic.twitter.com/RbG881GKOa
— Djurgården Hockey (@DIFHockeyse) June 5, 2025
“I am so incredibly happy and proud to have signed for Djurgarden,” Lindstrom said on the club’s website. “I remember when I was younger and watched hockey at Hovet with my friends. Sometimes we could just look at each other and say, ‘Imagine playing here.'”
Djurgarden Expecting Boost From Lindstrom
Naturally, the Djurgarden brass is confident that the player with 174 NHL games on his resume will be an upgrade for the club’s rearguard.
“This is a player who really has everything, but who can definitely unleash his offensive game even further,” Djurgarden sports director Niklas Wikegard said. “We see that Gustav can become a core player for Djurgarden for many years to come.”
Prior to coming to North America, Lindstrom won an SHL championship with Frolunda in 2018-19.
