Mats Lindgren with the Kamloops Blazers (Photo: Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds)
In what was somewhat of a surprise move, the Kamloops Blazers have traded defenceman Mats Lindgren to the Red Deer Rebels.
According to Jon Keen, play-by-play voice of the Kamloops Blazers, Lindgren requested a trade following the NHL Draft in Kamloops.
The return in the trade for the Blazers is defenceman Kyle Masters and a conditional first-round draft pick in 2025. The condition being that if the Rebels are in the WHL Draft Lottery in 2025, the pick is protected and the Blazers will instead get the Rebels’ first-round pick in 2026.
In spite of Lindgren having more offensive production and Masters being a year older, both players have seen a very similar career path.
The 19-year-old Masters is a 6’0 174 lbs right shot defenceman. He had 14 points (3G, 11A) in 65 games last season. He was a first-round pick, 16th overall, by the Rebels in the 2018 WHL Draft. Masters is also fourth-round pick, 118th overall, but the Minnesota Wild in the 2021 NHL Draft. He had 27 points (5G, 22A) in 109 games this season
Blazers General Manager/Head Coach Shaun Clouston told kamloopsblazers.com that he is excited to bring Kyle to our team.
“Kyle plays a well-rounded, 200ft game and we believe he will be a great fit with our group to our defense.” Clouston said
The 18-year-old Lindgren is a 6’0, 176 lbs left-shot defenceman. He had 44 points (5G, 39A) in 68 games last season. He was also a first-round pick, 17th overall, in the 2017 draft. Lindgren was a fourth-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres, 106th overall in this year’s draft. Lindgren had 54 points ( 6G,48S) in 94 games with the Blazers.
Both players are expected to be at their expected camps when they open this Friday.