By Sean Evans (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: May 9, 2012
As a die-hard, green-and-blue-bleeding, un-ashamed homer, my first response to the Canucks early departure from the post-season was to find the positives. The first I could find: Roberto Luongo will ask for a trade. Let’s be honest, Luongo is a great goalie, but Cory Schneider is the future. Much younger, and not locked in to a contract that is longer than War and Peace, Schneider has the potential to be the number one in Vancouver for years to come. However, hopefully Gillis will learn from his foolishness, and refrain from handing out 12-year contracts like they are going out of style.
All that said, nothing is set in stone. Who knows, maybe Luongo will be back next year, but it is hard to see how the organization could move past that awkwardness. Clearly, as seen in the postseason, the coaches and management have more faith in Schneider – all that is left to decide is where Luongo will end up. There are a number of options currently being bounced around by media and radio hosts just dying for something to talk about; Toronto, Chicago, Columbus, Florida, and Tampa Bay have all been posed as possible destinations for Lu.
Toronto:
TSN’s James Duthie recently tweeted that “Roberto Luongo will submit a shortlist of teams he’d waive his no-trade to go to next week. Toronto will be on it.” Let the media circus begin! Although Toronto has, well, sucked lately, they are arguably one of craziest media towns in the league. Adding the ever-dramatic Luongo to this gong-show would make for good TV, anyways.
There are a number of reasons that the Maple Leafs would benefit from adding Luongo to their star-studded roster. Primarily, it would give them a goalie that can win them games and likely a playoff spot. Luongo also has connections in the centre of the universe: his longtime trainer in the off-season, Francois Allaire, is the goalie coach in Toronto. Along with that, former Canucks GM, Dave Nonis (who acquired Luongo from Florida) is currently working for Toronto.
Chicago:
Whaaa?!? This is possibly the most perplexing trade rumour of them all. Chicago is Vancouver’s biggest rival (the Boston what? Come on, we play the Bruins once a year); there is no way that any sane GM would make a trade that could come back to bite them. The logic is easy to follow, Chicago needs a number-one goaltender and Vancouver currently has two – obviously they will make a trade. Come on. Mark my words. This will never happen. Although it would make beating the Blackhawks that much sweeter.
Columbus:
Luongo for Rick Nash, straight-up. That is a dream I have on a weekly basis. Columbus would be a great place for Luongo – he does well with a lot of shots, little media scrutiny and lots of playing time. He would just have to be willing to give up postseason action. In all likelihood, this trade will probably never happen, but it doesn’t hurt to dream. The Canucks would likely have to give up some younger players – Jansen or Schroeder would likely be a part of this deal.
Tampa Bay or Florida:
The speculation about the two teams in Florida is largely based on the fact that Luongo has family connections in the sunshine state. The real question, however, is whether the Tampa Bay Lightning or the Florida Panthers are even interested in Luongo. Both teams would improve with the addition of Luongo, but the length and size of his contract could prove troublesome. Luongo likely has a good five or six solid years left in him, but his contract has 10 years – the team has to be willing to take that risk. The Lightning are already saddled with Vincent LeCavalier’s monster contract, and would likely be hesitant to add another large contract.
The Panthers, however, are in my mind, the most likely option. They have the cap space—$23.65 million next season—and Luongo has a history with the team. Furthermore, the Panthers goalie, Scott Clemmensen is soon to be an unrestricted free agent and Jose Theodore has just one season remaining on his contract (and likely in his career). The Panthers and Canucks have dealt with each other a number of times in the past, and it would not be a surprise if they continued the pattern.
This should all provide for an entertaining off-season – thankfully, considering the length of it. My money is on a trade with Florida for draft picks, and perhaps 23-year-old defenceman Keaton Ellerby, if the Canucks are lucky. All that said, a move with Toronto wouldn’t surprise me in the least. Whatever happens, let’s hope it happens quickly and without a TV special in which Luongo reveals his choice.
