Category Archives: Vancouver Canucks
Roberto Luongo to Maple Leafs talk sure to heat up
The conversation begins again. It has to. It has to because with any kind of goaltending the Maple Leafs don’t lose to the New York Islanders Thursday night.
The conversation begins again, because there were boos instead of Lous at the Air Canada Centre. And the more there are boos, ask Ron Wilson about that, the more calls there will be calls for Roberto Luongo in the Maple Leafs net, because over two nights, one a win, one a loss for Toronto, the number of weak goals given up is five.
Ottawa Senators goalie Ben Bishop returns to his backup role
Before sending Lehner back to Bingo, GM Bryan Murray studied the NHL’s trade market to see what other teams might be willing to offer up if he indeed decided he’d trade one of his goalies to start this shortened season.
Murray decided it’s best to sit, wait and see what transpires.
League sources say until Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis clarifies the Roberto Luongo situation — by either dealing him or taking him off the market for the year — it could be tough for those teams with depth in goal to move a netminder.
NHL Rumors – January 23, 2013
The leatest trade rumors from January 23, 2013 include Roberto Luongo, Ben Bishop and the belief that it may just be the Stars, Avalanche or the Habs who are kicking the tires on Luongo.
Potential Luongo deal does not involve the Leafs
Gillis says he has trade in place for Luongo re @rcamcole barring some shoes to drop and I can confirm deal he talks about isn’t with Leafs.
— steve simmons (@simmonssteve) January 22, 2013
‘We have a potential deal in place with one team,’ general manager says of a Roberto Luongo deal
“We have a potential deal in place with one team that has to do something with another player that they have — and it’s not who anybody thinks it is — and so we have to wait. (But) we’ve been offered packages that don’t fit what our plan is, what we need,” said Gillis.
Like, how?
“Excess salary coming back with a [throw-in] player who can’t play in our lineup. They say, ‘OK, we’ll do this, but you’ve got to take this.’ Well, we’re not taking it. We’ve had lots of proposals like that with good pieces that can help us but the other part doesn’t help us, and oftentimes they have term attached to them, so we’d just be turning around and buying out a guy.
“I’d rather keep the guy we know, who’s a good person.”
Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo remains a backup as team considers trade options
Not many expected Luongo to still be with the Canucks once the shortened season began, but you’ve got to give GM Mike Gillis credit for being patient in trying to drive up the price for the veteran goalie and not just giving him away.
While Cory Schneider is the starter for the Canucks, he’s one bad game or untimely goal away from giving way to Luongo. If that doesn’t happen, then sooner or later somebody will be desperate enough to give Gillis what he wants.
Maple Leafs, Canucks unlikely to agree on deal for Roberto Luongo
“I’m not going to give up youth for older players,” Nonis told ESPN. “We would trade a young player for a young player. But we’re not going to trade a bunch of young players or first-round picks for short-term gain. You can’t build a club that way.”
Bozak is 26 and after 2½ years in the National Hockey League is still trending upwards. He had 47 points last season and led Toronto centres with an average ice time of 18:50. Bozak’s value to Nonis can be measured on the transaction wire this week: the GM traded Maple Leaf centre Lombardi and waived the overpaid, overrated Connolly.
Luongo to Leafs losing steam with Toronto making roster room for Kadri after putting Connolly on waivers and expecting more from Bozak.
— Ben Kuzma (@benkuzma) January 17, 2013
Bozak, Kadri and a second rounder? Wayyy too much for Luongo. And there’s no other team willing to pay that price either.
— Damien Cox (@DamoSpin) January 16, 2013
Vancouver Canucks GM ‘sticking to’ high return price for Roberto Luongo
As training camp opened Sunday, Gillis said the team isn’t rushing into trade discussions but has fielded multiple offers. As of Sunday, Gillis said Luongo would be part of the Canucks unless trade offers improve.
“We’re at a point with this team where we want specific types of players coming back to us that can help us today and down the road,” Gillis told the Vancouver Sun. “I think that’s a reasonable request so we’re going to stick to it.”
Gillis on Luongo trade scenarios:”I haven’t talked to anybody about taking a portion of his contract. Everything is on the table.”
— Ben Kuzma (@benkuzma) January 13, 2013
Murphy on Leafs: Luongo not the only option
But what we have to consider here is that the Leafs are looking at other options; options that may not cost as much as Luongo in the short term and long term.
What about Jaroslav Halak in St. Louis? He went 26-12-7 last season with a 1.97 GAA and .925 save percentage and still sits second on the depth chart behind Brian Elliott. Or what if Nonis and company felt like Jonathan Bernier was ready for prime time but never got the chance to show it behind Jonathan Quick.
CANUCKS SIGN D BARKER TO ONE-YEAR, $700,000 CONTRACT
The Vancouver Canucks have agreed to terms on a one-year, $700,000 pro-rated deal with free agent defenceman .
Barker, 26, dressed in 23 games for the Texas Stars of the AHL this season, recording eight points and 24 penalty minutes. He played in 25 games with the Edmonton Oilers last season, scoring 2 goals and picking up 23 penalty minutes.