Look out for Mike Lundin

The last preseason game Saturday in Dallas is going to be very interesting because of decisions that will be made on defense. With Dan Boyle out, there is keen competition for the sixth spot between Matt Smaby, Mike Lundin and Bryce Lampman. But if I had to guess, I believe Lundin, the college kid, has the inside track.

Nobody has said that inside the Lightning, so let's read between the lines.

The Lightning, I believe, thinks it has enough guys who can move the puck, even without Dan Boyle. I'm thinking Paul Ranger, Shane O'Brien and even Doug Janik. If you think that way, Tampa Bay, then needs a consistent, stay-at-home type who plays a positionally sound game. And that is Lundin.

The 23-year-old University of Maine graduate, who had never played a professional game until this preseason, has been so solid and steady and consistent, it seems he has pushed himself past Smaby and Lampman. Not that Smaby, especially, has been bad. He was very good during Thursday night's 3-2 loss to the Red Wings. He had a goal and an assist and knocked a couple of guys on their butts. But he also fumbled the puck a few times. Lundin, on the other hand, was always in the right place at the right time in 17:15 of work.

I'm not saying Lundin is in. But I think this quite from Torts was telling.

"He's ahead of the schedule as far as understanding positioning, and that's such an important concept for a defenseman to have as far as letting plays come to you, just protecting areas that are most dangerous.''

Some more good stuff from the game: Michel Ouellet scored his first Tampa Bay goal. Vinny Prospal had two assists and Marc Denis was sharp in netl. Despite losing the shootout, 2-1, he had 11 saves in 19:40 of work. Johan Holmqvist started and 16 saves on 18 shots through two periods. Jan Hlavac also looked good. Andre Roy needs to keep hits wits about him. Two weak penalties led to two Detroit power-play goals.

    

Comments

[Marsha]

Good to hear, as I liked Lundin when I saw him at training camp.

[Brendan]

Is anyone else completely outraged at the hit Steve Downie put on Dean McAmmond during the Flyers v. Senators game last night? I know there is bad blood between these teams, but that amount of visciousness in a hit is unacceptable. He had absolutely no regard for anyone, including himself. Hits like this should be dealt with swiftly and very harshly (suspension or banned from the league).

[Randy]

Lundin has been impressive. And an excellent argument was made by Damian for him to make the Bolts. And it very well could happen.

But I think Lundin would be better served by starting off in Norfolk. He would get more playing time in a higher pairing there. Let him develop his potential there. If someone gets injured or is playing poorly in the dman corps, Lundin is just a phone call and a flight away (Southwest has daily non-stop service from Norfolk to Tampa by the way).

[Mike13]

Lundin has looked solid, but I would still go with Smaby. He has impressed me more.

As for the Downie hit on McAmmond, the kid was handed a 20-game suspension. The hit was ridiculous and makes me just a little sick every time I see it. The kid got what he deserved. He's lucky McAmmond is doing alright. Can't wait to see the next time Downie is on the ice against the Senators...hopefully it doesn't escalate into another Bertuzzi-type incident though.

[mbab]

smaby seems to have the size and grit...but the games I saw he was giving up the blue line every single time....if you continue to let the other team carry the puck into the zone in breaks down the whole transition game torts likes to play...can smaby skate good enough at this level is the real question??it is not time to develope it is time to step up to the plate for someone...go bolts