by Timmy Corbett

The time is closing fast for Ranger fans to continue calling Jamie Lundmark a prospect. Men his age are quickly becoming cornerstones on lesser teams, others his age are becoming stars in their own right in the AHL. As far as Lundmark, he may be becoming the next Manny Malhotra.

Manny Malhotra was adored as a young player on a veteran laden big name team during his years here. Simply, we wanted him to do well, for himself and the future of the team we love, Lundmark is looked at in the same way. Lundmark has more offensive upside than Malhotra, but they had the same problem, they were young men in the Ranger’s organization.

These two names stand out so much simply because they have stayed with the team, unlike so many Ranger prospects who were dealt by trigger happy GMs who are stuck in a “win now” attitude. The same GMs, being Neil Smith and Glen Sather also heard the howls raining down from the blue seats, demanding youth and a plan. Malhotra and Lundmark were inserted in roles with limited ice time that kept them from being effective, stunting their growth and maybe even their confidence.

Lundmark has been shuffled around often in his time here, let alone in this year’s training camp, where his most consistent spot is on Bobby Holik’s flank. Holik has praised Lundmark’s skating, passing and work ethic then praised Sather giving him a clear role of a checking center. Lundmark was drafted and praised as a future offensive force at center, he now toils as a checking winger.

The Ranger’s talking heads say that the fans wouldn’t sit still through a rebuilding, I, for one would love to see a group of younger players fail and learn than veterans fail and gain nothing but millions.