Penguins goaltending prospect Filip Lindberg isn't expected to play again this season as a result of the injury he sustained in November.
Lindberg, 23, was a free agent signing by the Penguins out of UMass in the offseason. Originally a 2019 seventh-round pick of the Wild, Lindberg elected to leave UMass after three years and test free agency once he became eligible, and chose the Penguins.
Lindberg started the year in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and had a phenomenal start to the season. He was named the AHL goaltender of the month for the month of October after posting a a 4-0 record, a 1.71 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage through the first four starts of his professional career.
Lindberg left Wilkes-Barre's game on Nov. 12 at the second intermission, with head coach J.D. Forrest saying afterward that Lindberg was dealing with a lower-body injury. Lindberg began skating on his own as the holiday break approached, but hasn't skated since the break. Forrest offered more specifics after the team returned from the break, saying that Lindberg's injury was an ankle injury.
"It's just one of those things where it's a difficult one to try to get to 100 percent, especially in the goaltending position with some of the moves that he has to make," Forrest explained.
I spoke with Penguins director of player development Scott Young on Tuesday and asked if Lindberg is expected to be able to play again before this season ends.
"No, I don't think so," Young said. "It's unfortunate, because he was playing so well. It was just a short period there in the beginning of the year, but he was really playing well. We really liked it, what he's going to be, and it's just too bad that it was cut so short."
Young spoke of Lindberg being "really disappointed" after being sidelined after having such a strong start.
"You know, just thinking at first that it was not as bad as it was, I think he thought he was going to heal a lot quicker," Young said. "Then it just kind of took a turn the other way. He was very frustrated. He wants to play, a competitive kid. He just came off from winning the national championship the year before. So he was full of confidence. It was a bit devastating for him."
Lindberg finishes the year with a 4-2 record, a .915 save percentage, and a 2.76 goals-against average.
Lindberg has one year left on his entry-level contract after this season. Because he played in fewer than 25 games this season, he'll still be considered a rookie next season in the AHL.
After taking the offseason to get healthy again, Lindberg will look to pick up where he left off after such a strong start to his professional career.
