Philadelphia Flyers forward Oskar Lindblom continues to be an inspiration to all.
After returning to the Flyers just 8-months after being diagnosed with cancer, Lindblom did not have the season he hoped for last season. Finishing the year knowing that more could have been achieved.
“It’s been a tough year both, physically and mentally,” Lindblom said during his closing interview last season. “It’s gonna be nice to recover here and get back in shape. I still feel I have a lot more to give.”
With covid causing a shortened season last season, Lindblom just couldn’t find his groove. Something that Lindblom mentioned could have been a product of a short offseason.
“That schedule didn’t help. I felt like the recovery part was a big part that I was struggling with,” Lindblom said during his closing interview last season. “I actually feel great to get back to work this summer.”
Lindblom added that “I’m so excited for that because I know what I can do out there. When I’m in good shape, I know I can play good in this league.”
Now, after a full offseason of training, Lindblom is back to his normal self. Which, according to head coach Alain Vigneault, seems just right.
“Oscar went in for his scan. He’s cancer-free still,” Vigneault said on Friday. “That’s real positive.”
On Saturday, Alain Vigneault followed that up with some more good news. Saying “his (Oskar) test results conditioning-wise were pre-cancer. That’s a real positive sign he’s physically back to when we tested him my first year.”
However, Oskar Lindblom’s head coach isn’t the only one that sees he is trending in the right direction. His teammates are right there with his head coach.
“He’s got the flow back,” Joel Farabee said with joy about Lindblom. “I’m really excited to see what he is going to bring this year. I think he’s going to break out.”
So far in camp, Lindblom has been on a line with new additions Cam Atkinson & Derick Brassard. The three have found some early chemistry & have been one of the best, if not the best, lines in camp.
“I’m glad we are the on the same line,” new Flyers forward Derick Brassard said of Lindblom. “Really strong skater. Really strong on pucks. He’s got that Swedish game. He’s really smart out there.”
With Lindblom back in the fold, it has brought energy back to the locker room. An energy that not only has his team-mates smiling ear to ear. But, his head coach excited.
“We’re obviously banking that the Oskar that we’re going to see this year is the Oskar pre-cancer,” Alain Vigneault said. “I’m hoping with everything that I’m hearing that he’s back to where he was prior to it.”
With Oskar Lindblom healthy & the past behind him, Lindblom can now focus on the future. A very bright future with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Photo Credit : Zack Hill – Flyers PR Guru
