The Lightning's first round of cuts have been posted on tampabaylightning.com. All have been assigned to Norfolk.
D, Dan Jancevski
C, Blair Jones
D, Jay Leach
RW, Norm Milley
D, David Schneider
LW, Karl Stewart
Prospects surviving include Matt Smaby, Mike Lundin, and Karri Ramo.
The battle for the last defensive spot goes down to Smaby, Lundin, Bryce Lampman, and Doug Janik.
According to numerous published reports it appears the Lightning will be cutting 7 players from their roster after Saturday's preseason game against the Caps. Here's my initial thoughts on the seven who will go (subject to change based on performance in the Washington game, of course):
A little excitement to send the people home happy in preseason!
DAL-3
TB-4 (OT)
Marc Denis stopped 35 of 38 faced for the win. Brad Richards led the way with assists in triplicate. Goals came from Andreas Karlsson, Jason Ward, Kyle Wanvig, and Mathieu Darche. Filip Kuba, Shane O'Brien, and Mike Lundin added individual helpers.
Darche looks like the big winner on the night getting 21:46 of ice time, the game winning goal, registering 7 shots, and having a +1 rating. And 5 hits too? This after a scrimmage hat trick yesterday? Mr. Darche, you sir are making an impact.
Bryce Lampman and Mike Lundin also checking in with well over 20 minutes of look-see a piece. Both were even.
Kyle Wanvig checked in with 16:07 of ice time and a +1 rating with 4 hits and a penalty shot goal, possibly keeping his bubble from bursting and running Karl Stewart to the state of Virginia.
Boxscore and detailed stats from NHL.com.
Defenseman Mike Lundin performed well at Traverse City prospects tournament and now in Brandon, Florida at the Lightning's NHL camp. Today, Erik Erlendsson featured Lundin in the Tampa Tribune.
Mike Lundin arrived at Lightning training camp last week and did his best not to be star-struck at the amount of star power assembled in Tampa Bay's locker room.
Following a four-year career at the University of Maine where he posted 12 goals and 58 points in 159 games, the 2004 fourth-round draft pick enters his first year as a professional trying to find his place within the organizational roster.
Judging from his first few days of camp, his stock might be higher than previously thought.
To read the rest of the feature, see the Tampa Tribune.