Luongo willing to waive NTV

[leaffan]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/luongo-willing-to-waive-no-trade-clause/article2412658/

 

It sounded like - as Roberto Luongo’s voice quietly cracked - the Vancouver Canucks will have a new starting goaltender next season after Luongo’s six excellent years in net for the hockey team.

Luongo spoke with Vancouver president and general manager Mike Gillis on Tuesday morning and, later, speaking with reporters, Luongo said he would waive the no-trade clause in his 12-year, $64-million contract.

“It’s going to be what’s best for the team,” said Luongo. “Whatever scenario that is, I’m okay with it - whether that involves me being here or not is okay. We’ve got a lot of potential in this locker room, there’s a great core of guys, and the chance to do something special.”

The Canucks, after winning their second consecutive Presidents’ Trophy, went down in five games to the Los Angeles Kings in the first round, a terrible result 10 months after nearly winning the Stanley Cup.

Luongo was benched for Game 3 in favour of backup Cory Schneider, who at 26 is seven years younger than Luongo and appears set to become Vancouver’s starter. Schneider started Games 3, 4 and 5, giving up just four goals, including the series winner in overtime on Sunday night.

“They’ve got a guy [Schneider] here that is going to be a superstar in this league for the next 10, 12, 15 years,” said Luongo. “It is a business and that’s the way it goes. I loved being here the last six years. I think my career has really taken off and we did some incredible things. If I’m here in the future, then great. If I’m not, that’s good also.”

Schneider, the goaltender in ascendancy, put up a strong year as a backup. His save-percentage, .937 in 33 games, ranked No 2 in the NHL, behind St. Louis’s Brian Elliot, who posted a .940 in 38 games. Then, in the playoffs, Schneider was also excellent, with a save-percentage of .960 in three games, the highest among all goaltenders in the postseason.

“Would I like to get at least an opportunity to be a starting goaltender? Sure. Everyone would,” said Schneider on Tuesday. “I think I’ve at least earned the right to get a chance, and to get a look. Wherever that may be, I don’t know. If it’s here, that’s great. I’ll think about that when it comes.”

This summer in Boston, near where Schneider grew up and where he has an apartment, he plans to work on stick-handling, a weakness in his game, and his conditioning and strength, with the aim to be ready to be a starter in October, “playing 60, 70 games, something like that.”

As for the puck he couldn’t stop, in overtime on Sunday night, the Jarret Stoll missile that went in high on the short side, Schneider said:

“You have to leave it behind. It happened so fast. Again, he made a good shot. Guys in this league can do that. It was inches either way, it misses the net, or I get a piece of it. It means I’ve got to be a few inches better. It was a good learning experience, and something I’ll keep with me, in terms of the experience.”

Umm... mg:

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Next stop, Toronto :smug:

 

[leaffan]

Next stop, Toronto :smug:

Honestly my money is on Tampa.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Honestly my money is on Tampa.

Joking about the Leafs, and I agree with you on Tampa. They are the one clear cut team that needs a goalie this off-season, and Luongo would solve their issue in net for the foreseeable future. Though it would also be amusing if he ended up back with the Panthers.

 

[leaffan]

Joking about the Leafs, and I agree with you on Tampa. They are the one clear cut team that needs a goalie this off-season, and Luongo would solve their issue in net for the foreseeable future. Though it would also be amusing if he ended up back with the Panthers.

The leafs are probably going to be in the hunt since they have what Van would need in terms of money going back and the prospects but I really have my doubts Lou would want to put himself in a bigger media situation in Toronto. He knows the difference between Canada and Florida so it'll be interesting to see what route he would want to take.

Not to mention both clubs are in the East.

Leaffans wildcard Lou destination.... The Islanders :smug: