NHL '11 - '12 Thread

[mithrilG60]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

He should go back to Montreal, at least if they lose, they have thier native son in goal.

Montreal has Price, goaltending is not their problem. The last thing Luongo needs is an even higher pressure market to play in. That's part of his problem in Vancouver, this market expects the team to win (and/or has elevated expectations because the team places higher normal due to the weakness of the NWD) and that puts a lot of pressure on the players. Doubly so in Luongo's case since he was brought in as the saviour to the Canucks problems and given a massive contract.

Realistically there are only a couple teams in the league that might feasibly take Luongo; Toronto, Edmonton, Chicago, New Jersey and Florida. Toronto is out because of the hate between Burke and Gillis, plus Toronto is high stress just like Montreal and Vancouver. Edmonton's out because his Floridian wife apparently hates "winter" in Vancouver, why would Luongo ever agree to move to Edmonton? Chicago is likely a no go because I just can't see the team or fans embracing him given the years of rivalry between the Canucks and Hawks. Really that leaves New Jersey and Florida. Luongo's wife is from Florida, all her family lives there, that's were he lives during the off-season and by all accounts it's home to him in every sense. My guess is, if Schneider saves the Canucks season and Luongo requests a trade to prevent becoming full-time #2 it will be to Florida.

That said, the Canucks might also find the cap room to keep them both. They make a great tandem, probably the best in the NHL, and have a very good working and personal relationship. Luongo might be willing to accept a 50/50 starting split to stay on a contender team for another couple seasons.... if he goes to back to Florida he's effectively resigning himself to never seeing his name on the Stanley Cup. Hell, staying in Vancouver is probably the same but at least there's a little more hope there