A big, two-way rearguard with some offensive upside. Lintuniemi is a smooth skater who transitions well. He lacks top-end speed, but is very balanced on his feet. He handles the puck well, but often loses control when he is at top speed. He does not have the fastest nor most creative hands with the puck, but has the ability to pull the odd deke. He is exceptionally good at protecting the puck by using his body and reach. He makes a sharp, crisp, accurate pass on the breakout. Lintuniemi moves around the point very well, giving him the ability to get into a position for a scoring chance. He has a very hard shot from the point and loves to join the rush. Uses his body to separate players from the puck. He battles very hard, but is sometimes caught out of position due to his attempts to throw a hit. A hard checker who crushes his opponents. He shows great determination and willingness to go into gritty areas, and does enjoy success by separating opponents from the puck. Lintuniemi makes smart decisions with the puck and anticipates game situations well. He is not afraid to block shots and challenges shooters. He can have moments when he loses position and can get caught chasing his check. This kid has some untapped offensive potential. (May 2014)