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Flyers "NOT in on Luongo." Updated 2:03am |
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Rumors are swirling tonight that the Philadelphia Flyers are working on a trade for Roberto Luongo. As of 10 p.m., I am told that they are not at all in on Luongo. This from a high-end source who would absolutely know if they were or weren't pursuing a trade possibility.
When I asked if I could safely kill this rumor the source flatly and simply told me, "Yup."
UPDATE 2:00 AM EST
On the Flyers...
The rumor out of Vancouver is the Flyers called regarding Luongo's availability. This may or may not have happened. Is it possible that, at some earlier point in time, Paul Holmgren did some diligence to find out what it is the Canucks wanted? Of course.
Regardless of if whether he did or didn't call, the Flyers, as of 10 p.m. last night and again later inthe evening, were absolutely adamant they were NOT in on a potential Luongo trade in any way, shape or form.
I say this out of respect for other reporters who are reporting they are hearing just the opposite. It is possible that those reporting the flyers had interest in Luongo were indeed correct in reporting it -- at least in terms someone giving them info on something that was accurate at one point.
However, the fact remains the Flyers are saying quite clearly they are not in on Luongo. So that's where things are AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
There are those who will say this a CYA update. Truthfully, it is an attempt to explain something that happens often in reporting... and not always with me as a part of it.
Reporters report. We don't make trades. We only can repeat what we are told. What we write can only be as good as the info we are told. It is uncommon that we are flat out lied to by a source. Far more commonly, sources give you a snapshot of the truth but not the complete story.
GMs don't usually lie to people with whom they have relationships. Most are pretty straightforward, especially when they are going to have to deal with you in person in the press box.
But also know this. GMs hone in to answer the questions asked of them in "right this minute" fashion and nothing more. They are masters of telling truths that are subject to change at any time, and they may even anticipate changing. They won't give you background info. They won't tell you about events that might unfold tomorrow. They will either a) simply say they can't tell you anything (almost always because a situation is actually ongoing on the moment) or b) tell you nothing is going on, meaning right this very moment.
There is a reason I do not disclose sources under any circumstances. And it is why I get some info others can't sometimes get (or should I say "can share " info other can get but can't always share).
GMs are good to talk to on an ongoing basis, but when a rumor is hot and out there a GM can never give you something "on the record" so talking to them can end up blocking you out more than it could help you. Once you are told anything "off the record,"even if you find it out from another source later, it is dicey to put it out there out of respect of the first source.
If I went to text Paul Holmgren tonight and asked if he was in on Luongo, and he WAS in fact in on Luongo, he wouldn't be able to tell me anything or he would tell me the news off-the-record.
That doesn't help us. Doesn't help the people I try to serve -- my readers.
Still, it happens. There have been times when I'm explicitly told that I can't go public with certain info. Even if it means missing a chance to break the info first, I have to honor that trust. I take these relationships very seriously.
In the Flyers case, I have some other top sources who know me better than most teams and have always shown great trust in me. People I respect immensely. So when I am told somethng by the Flyers, by people "in the know," I trust them completely.
Every reporter has teams they are tighter with than others. The Flyers are the NHL team I live closest to, have been a full-season credentialed member of press row for the last eight years, and have even done my own TV show for. The Flyers are in my wheelhouse, as many of you know from following the Flyers stories I have been lucky to be out front on over the years.
I totally respect others who claim the Flyers contacted Vancouver about Luongo and therefore showed interest. But I can also say, at least at this point, I am confident it isn't happening.
Experience has taught me a lot. What I have learned anything about the rumor biz it is the golden rule of a rumor: Every rumor has a shelf life, and it's a very brief one at that." Everything can change, and change fast. When a source gives you either confirmation or a denial it comes with an invisible "sell by" date stamped to it.
So my E5 on this rumor remains, "The Flyers are NOT in on Luongo as of now. And as of now, they don't at all expect to be."
Is that because they were never interested at any point?
Is that because Vancouver wanted far too much?
Is a Vancouver source leaking info of past Philadelphia due diligence in an overstated way because the team is desperate to create a bidding war on Luongo?
I can't tell you that. I wasn't told that on the record. But, let's be honest. If they aren't in on Luongo as of now, does it even matter?
I guess, you could make the case it does matter by saying it shows the Flyers aren't thrilled with what they've gotten thus far out of Ilya Bryzgalov. But you didn't really need a Roberto Luongo rumor to know that fact.
Off to bed. More in the morning on today's press conference and why I firmly believe the Leafs made an enormous mistake in firing Brian Burke. For now, it's some much-needed sleep.
Stay tuned...
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