Tampa Bay Lightning: 30 Best Draft Picks In Franchise History

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

23. Mike Lundin

Draft Year: 2004

Position: Defense

Who remembers this guy? Originally from the great state of Minnesota, Mike Lundin was drafted in the fourth round of the 2004 NHL draft out of the University of Maine. The year he was drafted, Lundin would represent the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2008 NHL YoungStars Game.

In eight seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, Lundin played in a total of 224 games, scoring four goals and 23 assists for a total of 27 point during his time in Tampa Bay. He was the workhouse of the team’s blue line, ranking first or second on the team in ice time in each of his eight season with the team. Always solid defensively, Lundin could always be relied on as the rock of the blue line that can be compared to Anton Stralman from the present team.

After him time in a Lightning uniform came to an end, Lundin would spend some time with the Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild, but it was clear that his best years were already behind him. He was sent down to the minors many times during his tenure with both of those franchises, and finally made the move to play overseas after the 2012-13 season.

Though Lundin didn’t provide the offensive punch fans like to see in defenseman, Lundin came to play every night with the mentality that he would not let the opposition score when he was on the ice. Every single game, you was Lundin log heavy minutes and play a solid defensive game in what was some of the darker days for the organization on the ice.

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