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Since the news that Roberto Luongo is on the way out, many fans of other teams have preached that there are better options than Luongo out there for their teams. They have cited his huge contract as being too long (which I disagree with, it's 6 years with an 8 year buyout/retirement.). Today I would like to look at the teams that should take a run at Lu, and the other options that are out there for teams.
Teams That "Need" Lu
Columbus- I think we all know why they need him. They've pretty much got nothing right now in goal.
Tampa Bay- See Columbus
Toronto- They have a goalie in Reimer who is a bit of a question mark and a goalie in Scrivens, who hasn't looked NHL ready in his 12 NHL games.
Edmonton- Dubnyk has played well, but Lu would get them over the top and put that young team in the playoffs and maybe attract a few bigger names to come there via free agency. Even though the Oilers make some sense, I really can't see Gillis dealing with them but they are a team that needs Lu.
New York Islanders- I know the Isles fans think they have the answer in goal, but when your answer is 27th in the NHL in goals against, you need to find a better "answer".
Teams That Lu Would Upgrade
Chicago- Lu is better than Crawford.
Winnipeg- Pavelec is a very good goalie and I would have him almost at Lu's level, but there is no way the Jets will make the playoffs with him playing 70 games. They need to find a guy who can spit time with him or play a tad more.
Philadelphia- Bryz isn't the answer, but if you think moving Lu's contract will be a problem try moving Bryz's . Lu is an upgrade.
Anaheim- Hiller has health problems and already appears to be on the decline.
Florida- Lu is better than the two backups they have starting, but they do have Markstrom in the wings. Lu would still make sense for a couple of years.
Colorado- Lu is better than Varly, but seeing as they are in the division, and they gave up a lot to get Varly, I can't see them making him a backup. Lu is better.
New Jersey- Not really and upgrade, but Marty can't play forever can he?
The Competition
Elliott/Halak- Likely not going anywhere for a year, but both have shown they can carry the load and be number ones. For the right offer I think they would deal one of them, but I think that will happen next offseason, not this one.
Jonathan Bernier- A possible star in the making but stile very unproven at the NHL level. I would also have concerns over size with him. There isn't a lot of goalies less than 6 feet that play more than 50 games a year so you have to ask the question, "can he?".
Tim Thomas- I really can't see Boston dealing the guy that almost singlehandedly who them the Cup, but with his age and Rask needing to be re-signed maybe he is on the market. Thomas would be Lu's biggest competition if he was on the market, but he is older and you are only guaranteed one year with him.
Anders Lindback- If I'm going after a starter, Lindback is the guy I go after. I think this guy is Lu's biggest competition in the trade market, or at least for me he would be. I would likely call about both Lu and Lindback and make the deal that made the most sense. The downside with Lindback is he still has yet to do much at the NHL level and Lu is proven.
Miikka Kiprusoff- Likely not going anywhere, but if the Flames do decide to re-build, Kipper would likely be on par or ahead of Lu on a lot of team's lists. As long as the Calgary Flame management stays in the delusional state they are in, the Canucks won't have competition for Kipper in the market.
Nick Backstrom- With Matthew Hackett looking ready to play at the NHL level, maybe the Wild move Backstrom and re-sign Harding. I still have to think that Lu is above Backstrom, but with Backstrom's contract being shorter maybe a team would take him.
Nikolai Khabibulin- The veteran goalie has a year left, but he'll be 40 when next year's playoffs come around. I'd be looking at him a more of a 1A or backup at this point in his career. He can still play, and his cap number is good.
Tomas Vokoun- will likely sign for under 3 million, but do you want rest your playoff hopes on a guy who can't stay healthy? Vokoun is getting up there in age and his play looks to be slipping. While he may keep a team in the playoff race, he'll likely be broken down and watching it when the games matter the most.
Martin Biron- Had a huge year this year so someone may give him a shot at being a starter again, but he's still the guy who hasn't shown he can play 50-60 games to me. He may be a good option for a team like Toronto, Chicago, Winnipeg or Edmonton who need a goalie to push their number one, but not be their number one.
Scott Clemmensen- See Biron
Josh Harding- Like Bernier and Lindback, Harding is a real wild card. He has a bit more experience then the other two, but he still hasn't had to be "the guy" on his team. Last year he played well and I would look at giving him a shot this season, but he is still risky and unproven.
As you can see, there isn't really a ton out there that is as sure of a bet as Luongo. When your team misses the playoffs, would you want to try and explain to an owner why you didn't put your best offer forward for Luongo? I know I wouldn't. My strategy would be to kick tires on Thomas, Luongo and Lindback and make the best deal for my team.
Who do you think Lu's biggest competition is in the goalie market?
Well that's a wrap.
Ian
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