Breaking News: Jamie Lundmark leaves Milwaukee Admirals

Last year, it was Ben Eaves, now another veteran forward is leaving mid-season. According to Admirals Roundtable, Jamie Lundmark is leaving the Admirals for a chance to play in Europe. Just wondering out loud, but perhaps the fact that so many guys have been called up (Andreas Thuresson being the latest) ahead of him has led to frustration?

over 1 year ago Dirk Hoag 24 comments 0 recs |

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he should have waited…. with all our injuries he could have been up and playing in no time!

by Creeping Death on Jan 8, 2011 11:07 PM EST reply actions

For the record...

Jamie approached the Predators prior to Christmas for permission to seek an opportunity overseas. This had nothing to do with others being called up ahead of Lundmark, rather this was a decision based on the needs of his young family and the strain of being apart from them this season.

This was not an easy decision for Jamie, as he is essentially giving up on the dream, but he’s spent 10 years chasing that dream and now it’s time for him to focus on what’s best for his family.

I wish it didn’t happen this way, but best wishes to Jamie and his family moving forward.

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by Seth Lake on Jan 9, 2011 1:03 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Neve been a Lundmark fan like others but...

….geesh, does the Ad’s coach need to be that vindictive? This is a guy (just reading his career stats) that bounced back and forth btwn the minors and the NHL. He can clearly play at the NHL. Just needed a team to give him a short who needed that 3rd/4th line skill set. And maybe that time has come and gone (ie he’s been at this 10 years), maybe its not. But his (and his family’s) desire to be in the NHL is more than understandable. Do we really think he pulled an Arnott??? SLake follows him closely – and the other posters who weren’t such fans lamented his not scoring but praised his attacking the net. Doesn’t seem like an Arnott issue so why does the coach go there? Gratuitous…
In other post on the preds regarding five wins in a row, someone said all the naysayers have disappeared. Yep. Someone attributed that to the fact those were not naysayers but just frustrated fans. I don’t think they are either. I think there’s a bit too much propensity to whine from several on these boards. We all want to win every game but lets be sure we’re enjoying them first then rooting to win. And focus on good trade and recall decisions. The players are going to play there hearts out – good or bad on other items, Trotz’s strategy – save Arnott at the end – has always produced that.

by keepellisingoal on Jan 9, 2011 11:59 AM EST reply actions

Pulled an Arnott?

What’s that supposed to mean? The Preds wanted to make a leadership change, so Arnott asked to be traded, and it was all done behind closed doors, not out in public. He played through more injuries than just about any Predator in recent memory, and if you recall, returned early from a concussion in 2009 to try and help the team make the playoffs. You make it sound like he slacked off and walked out.

Sorry to vent, but I’ll just never understand why some people bash Arnott like he was a traitor or something.

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by Dirk Hoag on Jan 9, 2011 1:13 PM EST up reply actions

we may disagree....

….but it sure seemed clear at the end of last season that Arnott wasn’t fully engaged. and a LOT of folks were commenting on that (and not just last season). I myself only noticed it last year, near the end.

I will absolutely agree that Arnott played through some injuries (esp the elbow matter, but by no mean limited to that) and when that idiot Cancuck (name escaping me) left his feet to level Dumont, Arnott did what we too often do not see our team do, immediately stuck up for JP. But the comment on Lundmark is about an NHL player, on the cusp of AHL v NHL, and deciding to leave for Europe becaues the chances aren’t here for him with the Preds/other NHL teams. And when you look at what SLake said in his post as to the reason, that seems understandable. Its understandable enough that I don’t think the coach’s PUBLIC comments were necessary.

I’d also draw a distinction: Lundmark has much more on the line personally than any NHL player whose played for many years in the NHL, with the financial security that brings. Should he have done what he did? No, but can we have a pretty ready understanding of that? More so that the coach’s comments. That’s what I was wanting to convey.

by keepellisingoal on Jan 9, 2011 5:13 PM EST up reply actions

I never bashed Arnott as a trader, I bashed him for his lack of hustle the last two years he was here. Him and his wife did some great things around Nashville, so as a person, I have no problem with Arnott.
Coming back EARLY from a concussion? I don’t know about that…

by cisar on Jan 11, 2011 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

To add....

…best of wishes to Lundmark. The more I think about this, the more the coaches public comments piss me off. He’s clearly an NHL’er. Can play at the NHL level. Needs to stay away from those stuck up Canadian teams (can we say SK74 is frickin rocking for us). And if the opportunities are not working, and he’s at that point where he needs a stable, long term gig, why blame him for wanting that???

First time I’ve really had an opinion about the Ads apart from the fact that they raise very good hockey players, and unfortunately its not a good impression. And the coach should be admonished for the nasty remarks.

by keepellisingoal on Jan 9, 2011 12:04 PM EST reply actions

Got to Defend Lane Here....

I agree, best wishes to Lundmark in his new endeavors.

But I have to disagree with the premise that he is clearly an NHL’er. A guy that has bounced around with so many teams…there’s probably a reason why he hasn’t been able to establish himself anywhere.

As far as Lane goes, I don’t have a problem with his comments. Put yourself in his shoes instead of the Lundmark’s. A player that was depended on to be an important part of the team decides to QUIT 38 games into a season. Lundmark put himself before his team, which is his entitlement to do so….but as a coach, everything is about team. There is no self. Quitting on your team is one of the most disrespectful things you can do, regardless of the reasons or motivations behind it. From the team’s standpoint, it’s a huge disappointment, and I don’t think Lane was out of line expressing it.

by Ryan B. Miller on Jan 9, 2011 1:19 PM EST reply actions

I understand where Lane's coming from...

As a former coach myself I’ve had players quit midseaaon for a variety of reasons and it always stings. I do wish Lane hadn’t “gone off” as he did, but I understand his frustration with the situation because ultimately he’s trying to advance his career and he just lost a veteran NHL forward at a time when his team is already shorthanded due to callups and injuries.

Unfortunately, I think Coach Lambert comes off as someone scorned lashing out here. I wish he bit his lip in this instance, but what’s done is done and now we all move forward.

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by Seth Lake on Jan 9, 2011 1:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

....sorry, everything is not about the team at certain, critical times

….exhibit one, Jordin Tootoo. Situations are very different but guys do have to be cautious when they have that life changing situation in front of them.

to be clear, I don’t agree with what Lundmark is doing (and his NHL options seem very clearly closed now). however, this is about a head coaches public comments. and a little more prudence is required.

by the way, to split a hair, I’m not sure he is clearly an NHL’er – but he can play there. There are plenty of guys who make it four/five years and then out. Maybe he has had his, maybe not. but when you look at what SLake posted, I think that explains the motivation and it seems tough – given that – to be that publically pissed about it for a coach to be so vocal.

by keepellisingoal on Jan 9, 2011 5:19 PM EST up reply actions

Oh well,

You want to make an omelette, you gotta break some eggs.

by DonBorvio on Jan 9, 2011 3:00 PM EST reply actions

What's wrong with Lane's comments?

I posted this on Admirals Roundtable but thought I’d copy it over here too…

While I understand that he had to do what’s best for his family, he’s the one who signed the contract knowing full well he could end up in Milwaukee and not in the big show. I’m not mad at the guy. In the end as Lane said, if you’re not committed to the team then it’s better you leave.

> "THIS ONE STUCK OUT THE MOST TO ME:"
> "I can’t believe that 10 years of struggle got summed up by "
> "Lane in 2 paragraphs. Just shows why we can’t be going "
> "through this."

It’s great that Jamie’s wife tweeted to get the family’s story out, but I don’t understand this comment one bit. How should Lane have treated it? I thought Lane handled this great. Hockey is a business and Jaime knew how the business works, especially by signing a two-way contract. Off the ice, Lane may sympathize with the Lundmark family, but in the end his job is to run a hockey team and by walking out on the team mid-season, what’s he supposed to do? I just don’t understand why people think Lane did a bad job handling this. He didn’t even say anything negative in the press that I’ve seen (which was posted on this site). If Jamie’s wife is trying to say that Lane’s comments are off base because Jamie was committed to this team… then he wouldn’t be leaving, irregardless of his family situation. Again, he signed the contract…

Just my $0.02.

by CreedFeed on Jan 10, 2011 8:20 AM EST reply actions

For reference

CreedFred is referencing tweets between myself and Jamie’s wife Erica that took place late Saturday night. Another poster had copied the her side of the conversation onto the AdmiralsRoundtable blog…

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by Seth Lake on Jan 10, 2011 9:11 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I'm washing my hands of this situation...his wife is crazy.

I think there should be some Ellis-like outrage over this tweet by his wife:

“Minor league salary taxed at almost 50 percent. Not possible to pay mortgage + rent for family of 5”

REALLY? His salary is 105,000. Even if it was (which I doubt) taxed at 50%….he’s still making $52,000. Even if she doesn’t bring in a damn dollar (which I’m sure she does) They are making $50,000. I have a REALLY hard time believing they were struggling financially. Were they financially set for life? Maybe not, but they were by no means poor. There are a lot of people (myself included) who would love to be bringing home 50k.

The blaming of Lane Lambert is just ridiculous. Seriously? What else was he supposed to say? This is a team game, and a team has no place for quitters. This isn’t Lundmarks first year in hockey, he’s well aware how a contract works. Is it Lane’s fault that Jamie’s wife stayed in Philly? Is it Lane’s fault that they have 3 kids? Not at all. Lane is moving forward with the team he has….and he never really said anything bad about the guy anyway!

But seriously, if the quote from Erica is true, that people can’t survive on AHL money….the league might as well just shut down right now.

by jasonbohn9 on Jan 10, 2011 9:42 AM EST reply actions

Assuming his salary is taxed at 50% (agreed, 50% seems high, but I have no way to know if this is correct or not), I tend to believe her when she says it’s hard to survive on that salary. Paying a mortgage and a separate rent is expensive by itself. Now add in the cost of three children…

by CreedFeed on Jan 10, 2011 10:10 AM EST up reply actions

My mother makes more than Lundmark annually in her profession, but due to taxes did not start making money until August due to her tax liabilities. She also owns a house in TN, but has to live in another state for her job. She too has a mortgage and rent payment due every month, plus expenses (water, sewer, electricity, etc) x 2 households and a 14 year old daughter to provide for. Let me tell you, I completely understand the tweet as it is extremely difficult some months to make ends meet and unexpected expenses have burned through most of our family savings. Additionally, due to the housing market collapse, we would have to pay to sell our house so that’s not an option either.

Erica wasn’t asking for anyone’s sympathy, nor am I. We all made their bed and are now dealing with it. Don’t try to start a controversy where there is none. Twitter limits you to 140 characters, she was answering a question inquiring as to why she and the kids remained in PA this year and didn’t beat around the bush. Ellis made an unprovoked statement intended to stir up controversy because he was bored that day. There is a clear difference.

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by Seth Lake on Jan 10, 2011 10:23 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I don't think anyone's wife is crazy...

…and my comments about the wisdom of the Av’s coach’s comments have been proven in many ways by the posts on money. Let’s put oursleves in Lundmark’s shoes: he’s been doing this for 10 years, he’s played with regularity in the NHL. Players like Dan Ellis have walked a similar path (in many ways less hopeful as he wasn’t bouncing back and forth but was looking for his chance to make the team and show what he can do). That’s Lundmark’s dream too. And it doesn’t look like its working out. So, on $55,000 a year (its not hard to believe that he is getting 50% held out between the federal withholding, Pennsylvania and/or Wisconsin withholding and whatever else is deducted) it’s a real challenge for five, especially as they likely have more travel expenses than most folks would because of the distance (which cannot be fixed due to his opportunity to be called up to Nashville).

In short, there is a lot of understanding here, for a guy on the edge of the AHL and NHL, who is at a decision making point for his dream and his family’s livelihood. More than enough understanding for more prudent PUBLIC comments by the coach. Let Lane go off – but not for us to see and read about and for you guys to second guess a guy looking out for his family.

Lundmark needed to make a decision that affected himself, his wife and three children. We all watch hockey because its enjoyable (that is why we watch, correct?). His decision making point (unlike say Radalov’s) is more than understandable. Why go off on this? Just doesn’t make sense….

by keepellisingoal on Jan 10, 2011 12:33 PM EST up reply actions

But what comments did Lane make that were him “going off?” I don’t understand why people are upset about what Lane said. Lundmark’s wife said she was not happy with Lane’s comments about commitment. Here’s what Lane said:

“Our team has always been about commitment, and commitment to each other, and we don’t want anybody in our locker room who isn’t committed, and committed to their teammates”

and

“When it all plays out and when it’s all said and done, I think it’s a good thing for our team because it just gives us a chance to reiterate the level of commitment that you have to have to be able to play on this hockey team.”

What Lane said is true. If Jaime is more concerned about his personal success and his family’s success, then he isn’t committed to the team. Again, Jaime’s personal story and struggle is one thing, but the Lane Lambert’s job is not to satisfy Jaime Lundmark. His job is running a hockey team and developing players. Jaimie wanting to go elsewhere shows he is not committed to the team. Plain and simple.

by CreedFeed on Jan 10, 2011 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

Lambert

This is what Lane Lambert said:

"(Linus) Klasen is back with us, that should provide us with some offense. And Jamie Lundmark, who was supposed to provide us with offense this year, and didn’t really….decided to pack it in. And that’s okay. We certainly would rather see him do that than give us half an effort or decide that he wanted to do that later on in crunch time.

"Our team has always been about commitment, and commitment to each other, and we don’t want anybody in our locker room who isn’t committed, and committed to their teammates. That’s fine, we’ll move forward. Matt Halischuk is going to have to play center for now until we can sort things out with Chris Mueller being up in Nashville, and Steve Begin being hurt. When it all plays out and when it’s all said and done, I think it’s a good thing for our team because it just gives us a chance to reiterate the level of commitment that you have to have to be able to play on this hockey team."

So how can you call that “going off?” He was asked about Lundmark by the media and that’s all he said. I thought he handled it very well. However good his PERSONAL reasons were for leaving the team he still bailed and left Lane to have to fill another void on the team with little notice. He did not publicly bash Lundmark but was clearly frustrated with the way he left the team.

by ScottieS on Jan 10, 2011 1:01 PM EST reply actions

In talking with Ryan (AdmiralsShortShifts) this morning...

He expressed that while the quotes come off as Coach Lambert aggressively attacking Lundmark that he was actually very calm throughout the interview.

I understand multiple sides of this based on my various experiences over the years. But what really became clear to me during my drive last night was that although Lundmark asked for and received permission from the Predators prior to Christmas to seek an opportunity overseas and I’m guessing Poile, Trotz, and even Fenton likely knew…Lambert was not informed so that he didn’t treat Jamie differently and disrupt the team chemistry. I believe that if he had been informed earlier that he might not have reacted the way he did, but having likely found out less than 24 hours prior to the interview that Lambert was very upset and decided to speak as he did to galvanze the remainder of his team and move forward.

Christmas was two weeks ago Saturday. Lundmark received permission from the Preds prior to Christmas. If you boil this down to the basics, Lundmark had a job that was no longer able to meet his family’s needs. He went to his employer and asked for and received permission to seek another job opportunity that better met his family’s needs. He worked for the next two weeks in good faith (5 points last 4 games) and then left for a new job. That happens every day in the real world. What doesn’t happen though is your supervisor (Lambert) then criticizes you in the media after you’ve left…

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by Seth Lake on Jan 10, 2011 1:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I guess it’s just me but I still don’t see where Lane’s comments were “aggressively attacking” Lundmark. Care to point out what he said that was attacking Lundmark?

by CreedFeed on Jan 10, 2011 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry...

Meant to say “have been taken as aggressively attacking Lundmark”. I left that out.

While Lane did not necessarily directly attack Lundmark he did pick his words very carefully and clearly allowed the listeners/readers to make up their own minds as to his intent and message.

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by Seth Lake on Jan 10, 2011 1:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

ok, we're stretching here....

the coach suggested Lundmark didnt want to be on the team, wasn’t giving it his all, with words like “supposed to provide”, “didn’t really” and “pack it in”. Those are words designed to be critical. Everyone knows (and if Lambert doesn’t, he’s not ready to be a coach in the AHL much less NHL) that the press was going to ask about this. Why not take the high road? Why not one remark that stings and not several words that rub harder and harder.

This comes back to the same issue – and its one we see coaches like Trotz exhibit – the good sense to make balanced comments. SLake (who I would know from Adam) said it well that people make decisions to change jobs for a variety of reasons every day. But they usually aren’t publically criticized in the media for it. Lambert needs to be more careful. Lundmark had a tough call to make, handled it carefullly (asked the team) and faced a change in his dreams we can all understand. Even if Lambert could not, publically, the requirements of being the coach required more. Exhibit one on that, Jeff Fisher when VY did far more damage than Lundmark could ever dream of – and Fisher (whom I’ve actually never cared for) was a CLASS act.

by keepellisingoal on Jan 10, 2011 9:47 PM EST up reply actions

Well said

Lundmark acted in a way that is widely considered ethical in any voluntary employer/employee relationship and in return the employer bashes him for it. Fault Lambert.

by Lil cutie on Jan 13, 2011 4:42 PM EST up reply actions