Lindstrom (back) will not play against the Sabres on Monday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.
Even without his back injury, Lindstrom was almost certainly headed back to juniors this season despite being selected fourth overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. With Medicine Hat last year, the 18-year-old center notched 27 goals and 19 assists in 32 regular-season contests. If he can eclipse those numbers in 2024-25, and stay healthy, Lindstrom could make a case to join the Jackets toward the end of the season after his junior campaign wraps up.