5 Questions with... Oskar Lindblom
Forward discusses his summer and how he is preparing for training camp
by PhiladelphiaFlyers.com @NHLFlyers
Last season, rookie forward Oskar Lindblom spent a good amount of time with the club's AHL affiliate in Lehigh Valley, including the Phantoms run in the Calder Cup Playoffs to the Eastern Conference Finals. The club's fifth round pick in 2014 also made his NHL debut with the Flyers last season, eventually spending the remainder of the season with the club.
PhiladelphiaFlyers.com caught up with Lindblom to discuss his summer and goals for next season...
Q: What have you been up to this summer?
"After the Phantoms season ended, I took about two weeks off and went back to Sweden. I wanted to get my mind off of hockey a little bit. Relax, take it easy and spend time with my family and friends. A couple friends of mine have a boat so we've gone fishing a little bit and I'm playing a lot of golf. No vacation for, just normal stuff, but it was really nice to be home again."
Q: What brings you back to the area?
"I'm in town for about two weeks, a little more than that actually, but I wanted to come get workouts in and skating sessions before I go back home to Sweden again. I think it's good for me to come over and work here. When I go back, that's when I will work out for the rest of the summer until camp. I'll work out with some of my old teammates from my SHL team and other Swedish NHL players that are around. The summer is pretty short when you go deep into the playoffs [with our run with Phantoms]."
Q: What are your goals this year and how better prepared do you feel this summer as compared to last summer now that you got a full year of North American hockey under your belt, including time with the Flyers?
"My goal is to be a Flyer from the start. I feel like I know what it takes to be that right now. Everyone has stuff to work on and I feel like I know the stuff that I need to work on this summer and I can push for a spot when camp gets here... I know the guys. I know the trainers. I know the staff. That's important. I know the play on the ice better, but that's hockey and for the most part that stays the same so I'll be ready when the opportunity comes."
Q: When you go back home and after you work out, what are some of the casual things you do on a day-to-day basis?
"Well, I just bought an apartment back home, so I'll be spending a lot of time doing things to get that finished and ready. But after workouts I try and go golfing almost every day or go on the boat. I really try and do something everyday to get outside instead of sitting inside all day."
Q: Have you been following the Flyers and what are your thoughts on the team acquiring James van Riemsdyk in Free Agency?
"Yes, of course I love following the team. When I saw that we signed him, I read that he had the best year of his career last year in goal-scoring, so he's going to be a really good piece for this team because he's a good player."