Quick update on Mike Lundin situation

Posted Sep 8, 2009 by Erik Erlendsson

Updated Sep 8, 2009 at 02:00 PM

Had the chance to sit down with Brian Lawton this morning at the first day of prospect camp and he did discuss the situation regarding restricted free agent Mike Lundink, who remains without a contract with training camp set to open on Saturday. Lawton said there continue to be talks between the team and Lundin’s agent, Ben Hankinson, and there are a handful of offers on the table, but none of the options are one-way contracts (which would pay him the same amount at NHL or AHL level) .

Lawton has also extended an invitation to Lundin to attend training camp even if he is not under contract, though there was no word from his agent at the time of this writing as to whether Lundin will attend camp if he is not under contract. I’ll update that if/when I hear from Hankinson.

As I wrote on Friday before I headed out of town for a last weekend of fun, Lundin realizes that there is a logjam on the depth chart for defensemen and he sees himself being near the bottom of that pile with little chance to claw his way into legitimit consideration for a roster spot on the team out of training camp. Lawton, however, said that is not the case and that he believes Lundin is right in the mix. (Of course he’s going to say this, especially if he’s trying to convince another team that Lundin might be worth trading for)

A couple of other notes from the conversation with Lawton today:

The team has hired Lee Mendelson as an assistant coach for Norfolk to handle strength and condition duties along with a heavy load of the video work for head coach Darren Rumble. Lawton said the deal was agreed to on Monday so it has not been released. Mendelson was an assistant coach with Spokane last year. Mendelson was already working on the ice during the prospect camp this week.

As far as an assistant coach for Rumble in Norfolk, Lawton said there are four candidates for the position and he will have a decision by Sept. 15. One of the candidates is Jim Johnson, who has been working with the prospects this morning as well as during the prospect camp that was held in July.

One final reminder, I’ve received exactly one email in regards to my request from Friday to send me your Lightning questions and two comment questions, so you still have some time to get in what you want answered. I’ll start answering them later today or tonight.