- Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Teams looking for a goalie upgrade are getting smaller by the day, likely only the Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets, unless Ondrej Pavelec leaves the Jets for the KHL. The Blue Jackets likely aren’t interested in Luongo. Gillis likely wouldn’t want to trade Luongo to rival Chicago, if they are even looking for a goalie upgrade. The Panthers have Jose Theodore and prospect Jacob Markstrom and may not want to pay all that cash for him. The Leafs are interested, but not interested sending quality players or prospects. Just like they are not interested in shipping Luke Schenn or Jake Gardiner to the Oilers for the top pick in the draft. The Leafs don’t have many options left, and there aren’t many options for the Canucks either. The Leafs could give up a prospect for Luongo, and the prospect could get better if they take a contract like Mike Komisarek.
- David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: After the Wild re-signed Josh Harding, Canucks GM Mike Gillis is now holding the best veteran goalie in Roberto Luongo. Luongo is 33 and has 10 years left at a $5.33 million cap hit. Someone will likely send the Canucks a contract and a decent prospect. The Panthers may be happy with their tandem of Theodore and Markstrom. Pavelec is a RFA in Winnipeg and it may not work out there. The Capitals could be intrigued even though they have Michal Neuvirth and Braden Holtby. If the Leafs strike out on Luongo, they could take a run at Martin Brodeur, but it’s unlikely Burke would poach Brodeur from his mentor Lou Lamoriello.
- Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks GM Mike Gillis confirms he’s talking to teams about Roberto Luongo.
“There are lots of teams interested,” Gillis said. “There’s a limited number of proven No. 1 goaltenders in the world. Roberto is, without a doubt, a proven No. 1 all-star goalie.”
Gillis insists there is no urgency to move Luongo and is fine if he has to run with Luongo and Cory Schneider next season. Neither goalie would be too thrilled about that notion though. They would likely be paying $10 million to 2 #1 one goalies.
“We’re still in the position to explore all of our options … and I’m doing that without a timeline,” Gillis said. “I have no timetable at all. In some ways, I feel the draft in situations like this is an artificial timeline.”
The Canucks would like to get Schneider under contract before they deal Luongo, but Schneider may not want to rush in to a deal until he knows what is happening with Luongo. There is a window from July 1st to 5th where teams can send Schneider an offer sheet.
“I know there’s a market, for sure,” Gillis said. “His cap hit is $5.3 million. Marty Brodeur just got to the final [at age 40]. Goaltenders are a different animal when it comes to contract evaluation. If they’re smart enough and technically sound enough, they can play for a long, long time.
“Roberto has impressed me from the moment I met him. Regardless of how well he plays, there’s this notion that no matter how good it is, it isn’t good enough. And it’s baffling to me because I think the guy is just an outstanding player who’s an outstanding person.”
#1 by Jeff at June 20th, 2012
Is there a stealth team out there that slips in and picks him up?
#2 by hotwings at June 20th, 2012
possibly anaheim?
#3 by AJ at June 20th, 2012
Why would Anaheim pick up Luongo. They have a healthy Hiller and recently signed Viktor Fasth, considered to be the best FA goalie in Europe.
#4 by Patrick at June 20th, 2012
Why would any team want him? Can’t win in the playoffs, No Vezina, terrible contract and he’s not worth giving up anything for. The Canucks should suffer for signing him to that deal.
#5 by hotwings at June 20th, 2012
just speculation… does anaheim really want hiller as their #1? with all his concussion issues…. if he has another bad year… then replacing him might be more practical…
as a leaf fan, id want luongo… even if u win a cup, it doesnt mean your an amazing goalie, or better than most… would u rather have chris osgood as your goalie, or luongo? antti neimi or luongo?
#6 by AJ at June 20th, 2012
Hiller’s been symptom-free and has his most demanding season under his belt, with good numbers and no problems. If Fasth proves to be a good #2, my assumption is they’ll stick with them until Gibson gets NHL-ready.
During a regular-season, I’d go with Luongo over Osgood and Niemi, in the playoffs… It’s a different question. That’s his monkey on his back and the huge obstacle (besides his shitty contract) why it’s so hard to trade him.
#7 by hotwings at June 20th, 2012
all this talk about luongo not being able to win anything is crazy… with the extreme parity, how can anyone really blame one guy for not winning the stanley cup…
#8 by Patrick at June 20th, 2012
It isn’t crazy. It isn’t that he loses in the playoffs it’s how it happens. Complete blowouts that are solely his fault. Don’t give me that ‘his forward didn’t score’ crap because it’s unreasonable for anyone to expect them to score 8 goals a game. Anyone who takes him should be fired. Niemi or Osgood are far superior playoff goal tenders. No contest.
#9 by harry at June 20th, 2012
did u guys all forget who won gold in the olympics and the president trophy two years in a row. I understand cory is a great player but give luongo some respect….assholes
#10 by AJ at June 20th, 2012
He and Brodeur won that olympics gold with the great team they had in front of them, it was not like because Luongo stood on his head at any time in the tournament.
As for the 2 president trophies, they were also team achievements, not his sole glory, he even lost his No.1 status at times the second year.
#11 by harry at June 20th, 2012
i understand that but give him some respect guys
#12 by Patrick at June 20th, 2012
Yes, I respect his regular season performances. But to claim he has earned respect beyond that is ignorance. He is also not worth that contract.
#13 by harry at June 20th, 2012
he was until schneider came around
#14 by hotwings at June 20th, 2012
i think people that dont give luongo credit need to lighten up and not be so pessimistic. sundin or gilmour never won anything for toronto either.. oh ya… bunch of chockers… how about stamkos? he “hasnt won shit” in tampa bay. he cant even get them to the playoffs… that lundqvist… as soon as he gets to the playoffs, he is worthless..
luongo is an amazing goaltender… HOFer for sure.. i think people who have a problem with him carry around this concept that no one is “good enough” or “deserves respect” unless they win a cup… face it.. amazing athletes sometimes just dont win the big prize…
#15 by Patrick at June 20th, 2012
As I mentioned earlier, it’s the way it happens. Blowouts. He is also not a HOFer. Not a chance without a cup. When he loses in the playoffs it’s rarely a team effort. It’s him letting in 5+ goals. It is easy to justify the lack of respect for someone who hasn’t earned it.
#16 by Eggbert at June 21st, 2012
Can you imagine the Leafs going on a crazy run all the way to the final,and then having Luongo blow it for them?
That would be poetic justice to the max brothers and sisters