Luongo

[bustaheims]

It's been speculated that Vancouver isn't interested in a soft deal ( we've talked about this before ) if so neither of the fat contracts would apply but yeah, it's not going to be a lot more than that if it happens.

If that is indeed Vancouver's position and they're not willing to move from it, then they'll have to explore other options, because the general consensus is that the teams that might be interested in Luongo are approaching the situation with a very tempered interested because of that contract and aren't interested in making anything other than a fairly soft deal. It's a tough situation, and, the reality is, the ball isn't really in Vancouver's court. Yes, they can decide not to trade him or Schneider, but, that leaves them with likely $9M in cap invested in their goalies, a situation where neither of their goalies is completely happy and the real possibility that Schneider signs a 1 year offer sheet and they risk losing him for next to nothing this summer or nothing next summer.

And, yes, they could trade Schneider instead (assuming he doesn't sign an offer sheet), but, while his trade value may be higher than Luongo's, it's not significantly higher. He's unproven as a starter, has no contract and is one season away from becoming a UFA. Teams are going to have a fair amount of hesitation in that situation as well. The return on Schneider would likely be similar to what Tampa gave up for Lindback.

 

[bustaheims]

What / how many teams are in competition with the Leafs for Luongo?

The rumours vary from no one to 8 or 9 other teams. Looking at the goaltending situation around the league, I'd say there's really 4 or 5 other teams that might be interested enough to get involved, but, then the issue of Luongo's NTC comes into play, and I'm doubtful he'll accept a trade to Columbus or Edmonton.

 

[Madferret]

What / how many teams are in competition with the Leafs for Luongo?

The rumours vary from no one to 8 or 9 other teams. Looking at the goaltending situation around the league, I'd say there's really 4 or 5 other teams that might be interested enough to get involved, but, then the issue of Luongo's NTC comes into play, and I'm doubtful he'll accept a trade to Columbus or Edmonton.

Columbus I'll give you but I'm not so sure he'd be quick to pass on Edmonton - all the Oilers really need to take that next step is a proven #1 goalie. If he's basing his decision on what he should be basing his decision on <hockey / best opportunity to succeed> Edmonton would be pretty enticing IMO.
Back to my original question - so 5 other teams...if the return for Luongo is going to be of the mediocre variety then really what advantage do the Leafs have in acquiring him? Any of the teams chasing him can put together a second rate package - what makes the Canucks / Luongo choose Toronto?

 

[Tigger]

If that is indeed Vancouver's position and they're not willing to move from it, then they'll have to explore other options

I pretty much agree with all that, wouldn't be terribly surprising to me if they keep both goalies and put out the flames of discontent ( somehow ) but they could also change their minds on a soft deal too. Have to see who the suitors are and what they're interested in, it's a pretty big financial risk so I can see them all being real hesitant without some dollars going back.

That's all if Luongo even wants to play in Toronto.

 

[gilmourthegreat]

Well Leaf fans, would you be happy with that?

Luongo is a short-term solution and a long-term anchor. If he becomes anything less than an elite goalie his contract will simply not be worth it, and it will be Komisarek all over again.

Luongo doesn't seem to handle the spotlight well. Perhaps his career would be best served by a trade to a small market team.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

What / how many teams are in competition with the Leafs for Luongo?

The rumours vary from no one to 8 or 9 other teams. Looking at the goaltending situation around the league, I'd say there's really 4 or 5 other teams that might be interested enough to get involved, but, then the issue of Luongo's NTC comes into play, and I'm doubtful he'll accept a trade to Columbus or Edmonton.

Columbus I'll give you but I'm not so sure he'd be quick to pass on Edmonton - all the Oilers really need to take that next step is a proven #1 goalie. If he's basing his decision on what he should be basing his decision on <hockey / best opportunity to succeed> Edmonton would be pretty enticing IMO.
Back to my original question - so 5 other teams...if the return for Luongo is going to be of the mediocre variety then really what advantage do the Leafs have in acquiring him? Any of the teams chasing him can put together a second rate package - what makes the Canucks / Luongo choose Toronto?

What makes the Canucks/Luongo choose any of the other few teams?

 

[bustaheims]

Back to my original question - so 5 other teams...if the return for Luongo is going to be of the mediocre variety then really what advantage do the Leafs have in acquiring him? Any of the teams chasing him can put together a second rate package - what makes the Canucks / Luongo choose Toronto?

Well, the other teams in question that I think Luongo might be open to, based on what I can tell, are Florida, Chicago, San Jose and, depending on Brodeur, New Jersey. I can't see Gillis making a deal with the Hawks. San Jose's interest is probably mild, due to Niemi putting up decent numbers for them and still being under contract at a fair significant rate (unless Vancouver takes him back in the deal, though, that only changes their problem). New Jersey is a wild card - from the sounds of things, Brodeur is leaning towards one more year and LouLam doesn't bring in a starter with Brodeur still active. So, really, it might just be between Florida and Toronto, and Florida's interest is also questionable with Theodore and Markstrom in the fold (mainly because of Markstrom, but Theodore played really well for them this past season). The truth is, Toronto could very well be the only team Luongo would consider waiving his NTC for that puts forth a reasonably serious offer - kind of like what happened with Heatley and San Jose.

 

[Madferret]

Back to my original question - so 5 other teams...if the return for Luongo is going to be of the mediocre variety then really what advantage do the Leafs have in acquiring him? Any of the teams chasing him can put together a second rate package - what makes the Canucks / Luongo choose Toronto?

Well, the other teams in question that I think Luongo might be open to, based on what I can tell, are Florida, Chicago, San Jose and, depending on Brodeur, New Jersey. I can't see Gillis making a deal with the Hawks. San Jose's interest is probably mild, due to Niemi putting up decent numbers for them and still being under contract at a fair significant rate (unless Vancouver takes him back in the deal, though, that only changes their problem). New Jersey is a wild card - from the sounds of things, Brodeur is leaning towards one more year and LouLam doesn't bring in a starter with Brodeur still active. So, really, it might just be between Florida and Toronto, and Florida's interest is also questionable with Theodore and Markstrom in the fold (mainly because of Markstrom, but Theodore played really well for them this past season). The truth is, Toronto could very well be the only team Luongo would consider waiving his NTC for that puts forth a reasonably serious offer - kind of like what happened with Heatley and San Jose.

Edmonton put a serious offer in for Heater but he nixed it - again though aside from the requesting a trade part I don't see them as comparable situations. I don't think Gillis has a gun to his head to move Luongo like Murray did to deal Heatley - their isn't any personality conflicts with the Canucks dressing room / Luongo / Vigneault, that was the bulk of the problem in Ottawa. IMO Gillis isn't that desperate to get rid of him that he'll make a bad hockey deal to do so.

 

[Redleaf]

What / how many teams are in competition with the Leafs for Luongo?

The rumours vary from no one to 8 or 9 other teams. Looking at the goaltending situation around the league, I'd say there's really 4 or 5 other teams that might be interested enough to get involved, but, then the issue of Luongo's NTC comes into play, and I'm doubtful he'll accept a trade to Columbus or Edmonton.

Columbus I'll give you but I'm not so sure he'd be quick to pass on Edmonton - all the Oilers really need to take that next step is a proven #1 goalie. If he's basing his decision on what he should be basing his decision on <hockey / best opportunity to succeed> Edmonton would be pretty enticing IMO.
Back to my original question - so 5 other teams...if the return for Luongo is going to be of the mediocre variety then really what advantage do the Leafs have in acquiring him? Any of the teams chasing him can put together a second rate package - what makes the Canucks / Luongo choose Toronto?

Magic beans ferret. Magic beans.

 

[Corn Flake]

Well Leaf fans, would you be happy with that?

Luongo is a short-term solution and a long-term anchor. If he becomes anything less than an elite goalie his contract will simply not be worth it, and it will be Komisarek all over again.

Luongo doesn't seem to handle the spotlight well. Perhaps his career would be best served by a trade to a small market team.

So cup finals, Vezina nominee and in the conn smythe talk a year ago...consistently solid numbers every year in Van....

He can't handle the spotlight?

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Well Leaf fans, would you be happy with that?

Luongo is a short-term solution and a long-term anchor. If he becomes anything less than an elite goalie his contract will simply not be worth it, and it will be Komisarek all over again.

Luongo doesn't seem to handle the spotlight well. Perhaps his career would be best served by a trade to a small market team.

So cup finals, Vezina nominee and in the conn smythe talk a year ago...consistently solid numbers every year in Van....

He can't handle the spotlight?

Not to mention that whole Olympics thing I heard something about in Canada.

 

[Corn Flake]

Not to mention that whole Olympics thing I heard something about in Canada.

The what with the what now?

 

[rdowdall]

What / how many teams are in competition with the Leafs for Luongo?

The rumours vary from no one to 8 or 9 other teams. Looking at the goaltending situation around the league, I'd say there's really 4 or 5 other teams that might be interested enough to get involved, but, then the issue of Luongo's NTC comes into play, and I'm doubtful he'll accept a trade to Columbus or Edmonton.

Columbus I'll give you but I'm not so sure he'd be quick to pass on Edmonton - all the Oilers really need to take that next step is a proven #1 goalie. If he's basing his decision on what he should be basing his decision on <hockey / best opportunity to succeed> Edmonton would be pretty enticing IMO.
Back to my original question - so 5 other teams...if the return for Luongo is going to be of the mediocre variety then really what advantage do the Leafs have in acquiring him? Any of the teams chasing him can put together a second rate package - what makes the Canucks / Luongo choose Toronto?

Jedi mind tricks.

 

[bustaheims]

Edmonton put a serious offer in for Heater but he nixed it - again though aside from the requesting a trade part I don't see them as comparable situations. I don't think Gillis has a gun to his head to move Luongo like Murray did to deal Heatley - their isn't any personality conflicts with the Canucks dressing room / Luongo / Vigneault, that was the bulk of the problem in Ottawa. IMO Gillis isn't that desperate to get rid of him that he'll make a bad hockey deal to do so.

It's a different situation, but you can be sure the pressure on Gillis to deal with the goaltending situation they have brewing in order to avoid a dressing room issue/conflict is very similar to the pressure that was on Murray. Luongo all but publicly asked out. It certainly sounds like he's not happy in Vancouver anymore. If he's not moved, there will almost certainly be Heatley-esque problems there.

 

[gilmourthegreat]

Well Leaf fans, would you be happy with that?

Luongo is a short-term solution and a long-term anchor. If he becomes anything less than an elite goalie his contract will simply not be worth it, and it will be Komisarek all over again.

Luongo doesn't seem to handle the spotlight well. Perhaps his career would be best served by a trade to a small market team.

So cup finals, Vezina nominee and in the conn smythe talk a year ago...consistently solid numbers every year in Van....

He can't handle the spotlight?

It's a personal observation on my part, he doesn't seem to deal with the media well, and he is coming off a disappointing season. I don't think the Toronto pressure cooker will help him.

To my knowledge he has never played well in a championship final, where the pressure is highest.

If he comes here and plays well, and makes his 5 million + cap hit worth it, it would be great. I doubt that happens, particularly since he is nearing the end of his prime years.

 

[jonlleafs]

Well Leaf fans, would you be happy with that?

Luongo is a short-term solution and a long-term anchor. If he becomes anything less than an elite goalie his contract will simply not be worth it, and it will be Komisarek all over again.

Luongo doesn't seem to handle the spotlight well. Perhaps his career would be best served by a trade to a small market team.

So cup finals, Vezina nominee and in the conn smythe talk a year ago...consistently solid numbers every year in Van....

He can't handle the spotlight?

It's a personal observation on my part, he doesn't seem to deal with the media well, and he is coming off a disappointing season. I don't think the Toronto pressure cooker will help him.

To my knowledge he has never played well in a championship final, where the pressure is highest.

If he comes here and plays well, and makes his 5 million + cap hit worth it, it would be great. I doubt that happens, particularly since he is nearing the end of his prime years.

While I'm not totally in love with the idea of attaining Luongo, I think your comments are a bit off base here.

It's a personal observation on my part, he doesn't seem to deal with the media well, and he is coming off a disappointing season.

Hmm... last thing I remember, the Canucks finished 1st overall in the league.  Did he have a bad couple of games in the playoffs?  Sure, but what goalie hasn't had bad stretches in their career?

To my knowledge he has never played well in a championship final, where the pressure is highest.

Ummm... what?  He's been to the final like once?  And oh that thing about the Olympics and gold or something or other. 

Again, I'm not in love with getting him because of one reason and that is the contract.  But as an athlete and a talent, I will give him top marks.  Did he lose it mentally a bit in the finals?  Yeah, I think so, but he showed he can regain it and come back with a full season and help the team finish 1st overall in the league in the regular season.  Maybe a new team and a new culture will help him regain the playoff form.

 

[Redleaf]

Well Leaf fans, would you be happy with that?

Luongo is a short-term solution and a long-term anchor. If he becomes anything less than an elite goalie his contract will simply not be worth it, and it will be Komisarek all over again.

Luongo doesn't seem to handle the spotlight well. Perhaps his career would be best served by a trade to a small market team.

So cup finals, Vezina nominee and in the conn smythe talk a year ago...consistently solid numbers every year in Van....

He can't handle the spotlight?

It's a personal observation on my part, he doesn't seem to deal with the media well, and he is coming off a disappointing season. I don't think the Toronto pressure cooker will help him.

To my knowledge he has never played well in a championship final, where the pressure is highest.

If he comes here and plays well, and makes his 5 million + cap hit worth it, it would be great. I doubt that happens, particularly since he is nearing the end of his prime years.

While I'm not totally in love with the idea of attaining Luongo, I think your comments are a bit off base here.

It's a personal observation on my part, he doesn't seem to deal with the media well, and he is coming off a disappointing season.

Hmm... last thing I remember, the Canucks finished 1st overall in the league.  Did he have a bad couple of games in the playoffs?  Sure, but what goalie hasn't had bad stretches in their career?

To my knowledge he has never played well in a championship final, where the pressure is highest.

Ummm... what?  He's been to the final like once?  And oh that thing about the Olympics and gold or something or other.

Again, I'm not in love with getting him because of one reason and that is the contract.  But as an athlete and a talent, I will give him top marks.  Did he lose it mentally a bit in the finals?  Yeah, I think so, but he showed he can regain it and come back with a full season and help the team finish 1st overall in the league in the regular season.  Maybe a new team and a new culture will help him regain the playoff form.

I don't know how a goalie can be in a more pressure filled environment than when he is playing against the USA in Canada, in the NHL city where he plays, in the Olympic gold medal game, in the most-watched television broadcast ever in Canadian history, heading into OT with fans shouting.... Lou......Lou.....Lou!!

 

[rdowdall]

Back to my original question - so 5 other teams...if the return for Luongo is going to be of the mediocre variety then really what advantage do the Leafs have in acquiring him? Any of the teams chasing him can put together a second rate package - what makes the Canucks / Luongo choose Toronto?

Well, the other teams in question that I think Luongo might be open to, based on what I can tell, are Florida, Chicago, San Jose and, depending on Brodeur, New Jersey. I can't see Gillis making a deal with the Hawks. San Jose's interest is probably mild, due to Niemi putting up decent numbers for them and still being under contract at a fair significant rate (unless Vancouver takes him back in the deal, though, that only changes their problem). New Jersey is a wild card - from the sounds of things, Brodeur is leaning towards one more year and LouLam doesn't bring in a starter with Brodeur still active. So, really, it might just be between Florida and Toronto, and Florida's interest is also questionable with Theodore and Markstrom in the fold (mainly because of Markstrom, but Theodore played really well for them this past season). The truth is, Toronto could very well be the only team Luongo would consider waiving his NTC for that puts forth a reasonably serious offer - kind of like what happened with Heatley and San Jose.

Edmonton put a serious offer in for Heater but he nixed it - again though aside from the requesting a trade part I don't see them as comparable situations. I don't think Gillis has a gun to his head to move Luongo like Murray did to deal Heatley - their isn't any personality conflicts with the Canucks dressing room / Luongo / Vigneault, that was the bulk of the problem in Ottawa. IMO Gillis isn't that desperate to get rid of him that he'll make a bad hockey deal to do so.

I think a lot of it comes down to what happens with Schneider though.  If he signs a lucrative contract, do the Canucks really want all that money tied up in goaltenders?  Only one of them can start the game.  I think it also depends on what the Canucks view as their needs.  I think their first line is set.  They probably need some secondary scoring and some defensive depth.  Throw in a pick for something down the line, and they are starting to fill needs by trading the asset.

 

[maplesyrup]

Unless we hear of a Schneider re-signing, I wouldn't expect to see anything happen with Luongo anytime soon.

 

[jonlleafs]

Well Leaf fans, would you be happy with that?

Luongo is a short-term solution and a long-term anchor. If he becomes anything less than an elite goalie his contract will simply not be worth it, and it will be Komisarek all over again.

Luongo doesn't seem to handle the spotlight well. Perhaps his career would be best served by a trade to a small market team.

So cup finals, Vezina nominee and in the conn smythe talk a year ago...consistently solid numbers every year in Van....

He can't handle the spotlight?

It's a personal observation on my part, he doesn't seem to deal with the media well, and he is coming off a disappointing season. I don't think the Toronto pressure cooker will help him.

To my knowledge he has never played well in a championship final, where the pressure is highest.

If he comes here and plays well, and makes his 5 million + cap hit worth it, it would be great. I doubt that happens, particularly since he is nearing the end of his prime years.

While I'm not totally in love with the idea of attaining Luongo, I think your comments are a bit off base here.

It's a personal observation on my part, he doesn't seem to deal with the media well, and he is coming off a disappointing season.

Hmm... last thing I remember, the Canucks finished 1st overall in the league.  Did he have a bad couple of games in the playoffs?  Sure, but what goalie hasn't had bad stretches in their career?

To my knowledge he has never played well in a championship final, where the pressure is highest.

Ummm... what?  He's been to the final like once?  And oh that thing about the Olympics and gold or something or other.

Again, I'm not in love with getting him because of one reason and that is the contract.  But as an athlete and a talent, I will give him top marks.  Did he lose it mentally a bit in the finals?  Yeah, I think so, but he showed he can regain it and come back with a full season and help the team finish 1st overall in the league in the regular season.  Maybe a new team and a new culture will help him regain the playoff form.

I don't know how a goalie can be in a more pressure filled environment than when he is playing against the USA in Canada, in the NHL city where he plays, in the Olympic gold medal game, in the most-watched television broadcast ever in Canadian history, heading into OT with fans shouting.... Lou......Lou.....Lou!!

I know how... if he had a bad bowl of chili before the game.