Sunday, April 29, 2012

The Luongo list

The prospective landing spots are being assembled, as Roberto Luongo offers up a few signals that perhaps his time in British Columbia is near an end.

The Canucks goaltender, the mainstay in the Vancouver net over the last few years took the high road as the Canucks season came to an end, suggesting that if asked, he would be willing to waive his "no trade clause", though we imagine only if the right fit can be found by GM Mike Gillis.

A prospect that perhaps has the other members of the NHL lodge holding the upper hand, considering the nature of Luongo's contract, the will of the fan base which seems to be on Team Cory as this season comes to an end and the apparent decision of Luongo to seek other pastures, as long we imagine as they are green ones...

To that end, there has been no shortage of speculation as to where Luongo and his hefty contract may end up. The most mentioned destination it would seem is Florida, more Tampa than Miami, though as always in matters of goaltending, the Leafs are in the mix for any number of reasons.

As you can find on Twitter or see from the many links below, Where in the World is Roberto Luongo going to go is fast becoming the favourite  discussion point for hockey fans one and all.

We suspect that the process will move slower, rather than faster, most likely heading towards the NHL draft in June, where perhaps the Canucks can parlay, picks, cap space and player options into a winnable situation.

Regardless, while more and more it appears that Lou has played his last game in a Canucks uniform, the fans in Vancouver should be thankful for the most part for his time on the West Coast.  While last year's Stanley Cup run provided for a few disappointments, the bulk of Luongo's work in Vancouver was of top calibre, no one could point a finger in his direction this year for the teams early exit from Stanley Cup competition.

His appearances in Games one and two provided the Canucks with ample opportunity to compete for Lord Stanley's Cup, it was a shortcoming on offence and some deficiencies on the blue line that sent the Kings on to the second round.

Luongo, who no doubt has a sense of pride, said little upon his replacement in net for games three and beyond, offering up his support from the bench, if he indeed is destined for a departure from BC he did it with class from his end.

In the end, as they can the Canucks may decide to keep both Luongo and Schneider for one more year, the best one / two tandem in the league regardless of which starts, though reality suggests that both are number one's somewhere and deserve that status.

Vancouver can look for any number of issues to solve in the off season, perhaps Luongo is the key to solving them, but if Vancouver fans look hard at their team, he wasn't the cause of them.

Vancouver Province-- Canucks' Gillis counsels patience in Luongo Watch 2012
Vancouver Province-- Canucks' Gillis and Luongo discuss trade options soon
Vancouver Province-- Canucks' Luongo a Toronto Maple Leaf. Seriously
Vancouver Province-- Canucks' Luongo a class act as he faces possible trade
Vancouver Province-- Who will be on Luongo's wish list?
Vancouver Sun-- Canucks: No worries about Luongo's predicament
Vancouver Sun-- Vancouver Canucks' Roberto Luongo willing to waive no-trade clause
Vancouver Sun-- Vancouver Canucks not Lack-ing for goaltending options: 'Eddie's very close"
Vancouver Sun-- According to reports, Roberto Luongo requested a trade; why did we hear about it?
Vancouver Sun-- Canucks, Luongo to 'take our time'
Vancouver Sun-- Lottery Corp not anxious to talk about potential Luongo trade
Vancouver Sun-- Four potential landing spots for Roberto Luongo
The Tyee-- Canucks' Lu-dicrous Management
Toronto Star-- Maple Leafs among teams Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo would move...
Toronto Star-- Fate of Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo poses awkward questions for Maple Leafs
Toronto Sun-- Luongo's the answer to Leafs' net woes
Toronto Sun-- Leafs will be on Luongo's list of teams: Report
Toronto Sun-- Luongo reportedly asks for deal
Toronto Sun-- Luongo to Leafs? Gimme a break
Toronto Sun-- Luongo ready to move on from Canucks
National Post-- Canucks' Roberto Luongo is not what the Maple Leafs need
Globe and Mail-- Canucks' Luongo willing to waive no-trade clause
Globe and Mail-- Luongo a good fit for Leafs
Globe and Mail-- Canucks shouldn't expect much in return for Luongo
Sportsnet-- Canuck's Goalie Luongo asks to be traded
Sportsnet-- Which team will Luongo play for?
TSN-- Leafs, Hawks, Florida teams in running for Luongo
CBC-- Luongo's noble approach
CBC-- Coach's Corner Roberto Luongo should leave Vancouver
ESPN-- Where's Roberto Luongo going now?

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