YoungStars invite caps improbable season for Lundin

Lightning rookie Mike Lundin is a YoungStar.

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published January 26, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT [Getty Images] Lightning defenseman Mike Lundin will play in the YoungStars Game Saturday at Philips Arena in Atlanta, a showcase for 16 of the league's top rookies.

TAMPA - Almost directly across from Mike Lundin's seat in the Lightning locker room at the St. Pete Times Forum are stalls for Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis and Brad Richards.

It is both comforting and intimidating.

Comforting because, who wouldn't want those guys on their team? Intimidating because, holy cow, those guys are on his team.

"It's a fear of mine that I will let those guys down," Lundin said. "They're such great players and built this team and want to win so bad. So that was the hardest thing for me, feeling like I let those top guys down when I made a mistake."

And there have been mistakes. But also plenty of success.

In an improbable season that began with Lundin earning a roster spot out of training camp without a professional game to his name, the rookie defenseman plays in the YoungStars Game tonight at Philips Arena in Atlanta, a showcase for 16 of the league's top rookies.

"Things are just going my way," Lundin said. "I'm not satisfied and wish I could be playing better. But if I was back last year looking at where I am this year, I wouldn't believe it. The breaks have been going my way, and I'm taking advantage of them."

Consider Lundin, 23, a Burnsville, Minn., native, who played the past four seasons at the University of Maine, is plus-3 for a team outscored 168-145.

And consider he averages 15:00 of ice time playing all of Tampa Bay's 50 games, six more games than he played in any season for the Black Bears.

"It's long," Lundin said. "Everyone tells you in college, 'Wait till the pros.' Physically, I feel pretty good. Mentally, it's been tough, but it kind of comes naturally now because I know I have to be sharp all the time."

There are other challenges, such as being more consistent applying his strengths, patience with the puck, making the smart breakout play and not panicking when he makes a mistake; mental exercises more than physical.

Lundin, drafted 102nd overall fourth round in 2004, also must add muscle to a thin 6-foot-2, 188-pound frame.

He laughed, recalling his inability Tuesday to move Edmonton's 6-2, 220-pound Ethan Moreau off the puck: "You're in the corner and trying to push him, and he didn't budge. There are a lot of guys like that. I stay back and try to use my stick."

"He knows he has to get stronger," coach John Tortorella said. "But I want him to battle him as hard as he can, and to me, that is a mind-set.

"He's not going to win all the battles because he still needs to grow. But it's something he can control, and I want to see him get better in those situations; not the reads, not the bad plays, the battles. Everything else will take care of itself."

Lundin's brother Matt, a goaltender at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa., said Lundin will have no trouble bulking up.

"He's one of the hardest-working guys I've ever seen as far as working out," Matt said. "But he was so nervous last summer about being able to keep up and keep pace, he was scared to put on weight. But he's learning he can keep up. He'll be bigger and stronger this summer."

He wouldn't want to disappoint Vinny, Marty and Brad.

TEAM SALE: If Palace Sports & Entertainment is making progress in negotiations to sell the Lightning to Hollywood producer Oren Koules, it apparently is slow going.

Asked Friday at the NHL diversity luncheon in Atlantawhere things stand, league deputy commissioner Bill Daly said, "We're waiting to hear from the club. But as far as I'm aware, they haven't entered into a new agreement to sell the club."

Palace Sports had announced it hoped to have a purchase agreement completed by the end of the month.

All-Star weekend

Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta, 7 tonight: YoungStars Game and SuperSkills competition TV: Versus 6 Sunday: All-Star GameTV/radio: Versus; 1010-AM

Lightning players: Rookie defenseman Mike Lundin is in the YoungStars Game. Vinny Lecavalier starts Sunday while Marty St. Louis is a reserve.

[Last modified January 25, 2008, 22:21:25]