Could Oskar Lindblom Return To Flyers For Stanley Cup Run?

Oskar Lindblom last played on December 7th, 2019 against the Ottawa Senators. A game that Oskar never thought would be his last of the season.



Due to Oskar’s ewing Sarcoma diagnosis & ensuring cancer treatments, many believed that the Dec. 7th game would have been Lindblom’s last of the season

 

However, if you did, you don’t know Oskar.

 

Since completing his cancer treatments, Oskar has been fighting to get back on the ice. A first glimpse of this came two weeks prior to his final treatment when Lindblom skated in Voorhees during NHL phase 2 reboot.

 

After Oskar completed his treatments, Lindblom returned home to Sweden to see his family. Something he was unable to do due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

 

But, after Oskar was included on the Flyers 31-man roster for the Toronto bubble, was that the only thing Oskar would be doing in Sweden?




On Tuesday, a Swedish media outlet released video of Oskar. It showed Lindblom skating & practicing with his former team Brynas in Sweden. This got rumors swirling could Oskar possibly return?

 

 

We may now have some answers to those rumors.

 

On Saturday, Oskar is expected to arrive in Toronto & start his quarantine period. The period that is expected to be similar to the phase3 protocol the Flyers went through in mid-July.

 

But, that is not all.




In an interview on SiriusXM radio this morning, GM Chuck Fletcher said “hopeful he can get into game(s) in the playoffs.” A statement that head coach Alain Vigneault took a step further in his press conference.

 

Vigneault said “I‘ve has been told Oskar Lindblom could play at some point in September”. Which if you look at the NHL timeline for round starts, could mean Oskar could return as early as mid-round 2.

 

Now, the final decision to whether Oskar can return & play will come from a group of people. Flyers medical doctors & Oskar himself will have to make what they agree is the best decision for Lindblom’s future.

 

However, the final decision if the go-ahead is agreed on will have to come from head coach Alain Vigneault. A decision that would have to take a player out of the lineup that got the Flyers to the point where Lindblom could return.

 

“Every time we saw Oskar, I think everybody’s spirits were that much more upbeat,” Vigneault added. “If we get to September, we’ll take those decisions from there.”

 

Having Oskar around this team will do a lot on and off the ice. Whether it be a morale boost or an extra set of eyes to help the young guys, Lindblom will have an impact on this team’s run to the Stanley Cup.

 

Whether it is on the ice remains to be seen. But, if you know Oskar, you know he is going to try his best to make that happen.




By Brandon Sommermann | August 5, 2020