Ah, the fall pre-season.

It's a time when Vorobiev can be the next Kovalev;

when horse meat can turn a playmaker into a power forward;

and when ice time is spread out over four lines.

But there's a formula here, folks ...

[Insert Prospect Name Here]

Every year, an 18-year old prospect is 'on the bubble' of
making the team before before returning to juniors. And a
year later, they somehow regress and slide down the prospect slide.

Filip Novak 'almost' made it as an 18-year old, then looked
out of place the following training camp and was sent in
a trade for Pavel Bure that season.

Let's hope Tjutin's so-far disappointing camp, after 'almost'
making the team last season, doesn't lead him to the same fate.

But the reality is that over the past few years, three of which under
the Sather tenure, young players such as Malhotra, Brendl, Heisten,
Mottau, Kloucek, Smrek and others have been on the NY prospect ride.

And if Dominic Moore was smart enough to go to Harvard, you can bet
he did well on reading comprehension, which means the normal path
for prospects isn't lost on him .. or the others.

Which Makes Lundmark Important with a Capital "I"

Out of all the young players in camp, Lundmark has the only realistic
chance of earning a significant spot on the roster.

And by significant I mean top-nine forward or top-four defenseman.
Not a fourth line center spot and frequent flyer miles on the
Hartford shuttle.

Without Lundmark, there will not be one player on the Rangers roster
who went the Ranger development path through Hartford.

This can't be overstated. For Sather's development program to finally
deliver results, young players need to believe that sacrifice and
hard work is rewarded.

Players like Garth Murray, Fedor Tjutin, Dominic Moore, and others
need to see a flag bearer who can prop them up when their prospect
ratings fluctuate through their development.

Lundmark Needs Holik

A fourth line role does not fit Lundmark. He's developing into a two-
way forward, not a momentum changing energy player.

The first two lines are set with no opportunity for Jamie.

But Jamie's got first dibs at Holik's flank, and it's a tantalizing
opportunity.

In New Jersey, Holik opened up ice for Scott Gomez to play some of
the best hockey of his career.

There is reason to believe, from their play together last year in
pre-season, that the same formula for success can happen here.

And Holik speaks glowingly of Lundmark in quotes in the NY Post:

"I've said many times that I enjoy playing with Jamie and that I
think we're a good complement for one another. He has great skills,
a great shot, very good speed and quickness, he understands how to
get open in the offensive zone, and he plays the same give-and-go game
that I do."

The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show!

Among some fans, Holik has a nickname of Rocky. If that's the
case, then Lundmark must be Bullwinkle.

There is so much opportunity here if they are successful.

For the present, it would complete the top three lines and deliver
consistency to the lineup that hasn't been seen in years.

And for the future, Lundmark would give hope to players in Hartford
that the ups-and-downs of development in the Rangers system can
lead to a significant and lucrative role on Broadway.

Let's keep our fingers crossed ...

-Gabe

Recent Articles 19 Years Of Mike & The Mad Dog

Web Hockeybird.com