Loungo says his contract sucks, Gillis says it's not a problem. The Canucks are turning into a punchline.
- VanHockeyGuy

Too little too late

He let the coach make that announcement. Organizations are supposed to be on the same page working for each other. If Gillis let AV make that announcement then he was just as responsible for the statement. The GM has more power in the org then the coach so he should have told AV to shut his mouth and Gillis would solve the backup/starter problem via trade.
- uf1910

AV never made any announcement. He wouldn't even say who was starting a game the morning of. The only way people knew was by who came off the ice first. Once again, get your facts straight.

So whose fault would that be?
- Cptmjl

Right, but we're talking about who made the decision to play Schneider over Lou.

I do think MG handled the situation poorly since AV made the decision to play Schneider over Lou. Look at the Pens right now. They've already stated that the flower is their starter- whether that will be the case when the season starts remains to be seen. Perhaps I'm in the minority here but I believe both MG and AV needed to go in this offseason. If ownership dictated the details of the contract that Lu signed originally, they have to suck it up, take ownership and buy him out which most realize is the only course of action - unless some GM out there pulls a Garth Snow at the last second.

No we won't but there was enough smoke coming from that fire that you'd think there was some kind of deal? Didn't Gillis publicly state that he had offers but they were not enough for what he thought Luongo was worth?
- Cptmjl

There were multiple teams gunning for Lu. He was holding an auction.

Let's all rewind one second. Gillis's indecision is largely to blame for the decrease in Luongo's trade value but it starts long before this year.

Two years ago, the Canucks held a trade chip at the deadline that could have fetched a great young player, or two, in an attempt to give the team a better chance at winning the Stanley Cup then, and moving forward. That chip was Cory Schneider. Gillis failed to trade Schneider when he could, and then Alain Vigneault made Cory Schneider the starter in the middle of that first round series. That's not what sealed the deal.

Gillis could have continued on with belief in Luongo, and fetched a bounty for Schneider. Or, he could have kept quiet, not tipped his hat, and quietly taken offers for both goalies with the intention of dealing Luongo. Instead, the team came out and said that Schneider was 'the guy'. That's all fine and good, as Schneider's a fantastic goaltender, but it completely eliminated any value for Luongo on the trade market.

As has been pointed out by a fellow Lightning fan, the Canucks lost all leverage in negotiations. It's widely known that the team has to get rid of Luongo. Why pay a high price for something that is going to have to happen regardless? That's the mindset every potential buyer has right now. The market for him wasn't very big to begin with, given the length of his contract. Gillis screwed this up royally. This coming from as big of a Luongo fan as you'll find.Luongo could be Patrick Roy in his prime, and that wouldn't change anything. The value of a player who has to be traded is virtually nil.
- Michael_Stuart

I'm also a fan of Luongo, think he got a bit of a raw deal in Vancouver. I preiously stated everything you just did but to some Canucks fans this is not Gillis's fault? Interesting?

There were multiple teams gunning for Lu. He was holding an auction.
- walshyleafsfan

This is actually true. Leafs desperately wanted him (they even had a deal in place but Luongo didn't wanna join the Leafs), the Panthers want him, Islanders want him (or ANY goalie), the Lightning want him. Like I was saying, at the end of the day it's going to come down to whichever team can put together the best package. I still think he''ll go to Florida as they have some nice pieces to give in return plus Luongo wants to go there.

Let's all rewind one second. Gillis's indecision is largely to blame for the decrease in Luongo's trade value but it starts long before this year.

Two years ago, the Canucks held a trade chip at the deadline that could have fetched a great young player, or two, in an attempt to give the team a better chance at winning the Stanley Cup then, and moving forward. That chip was Cory Schneider. Gillis failed to trade Schneider when he could, and then Alain Vigneault made Cory Schneider the starter in the middle of that first round series. That's not what sealed the deal.

Gillis could have continued on with belief in Luongo, and fetched a bounty for Schneider. Or, he could have kept quiet, not tipped his hat, and quietly taken offers for both goalies with the intention of dealing Luongo. Instead, the team came out and said that Schneider was 'the guy'. That's all fine and good, as Schneider's a fantastic goaltender, but it completely eliminated any value for Luongo on the trade market.

As has been pointed out by a fellow Lightning fan, the Canucks lost all leverage in negotiations. It's widely known that the team has to get rid of Luongo. Why pay a high price for something that is going to have to happen regardless? That's the mindset every potential buyer has right now. The market for him wasn't very big to begin with, given the length of his contract. Gillis screwed this up royally. This coming from as big of a Luongo fan as you'll find.

Luongo could be Patrick Roy in his prime, and that wouldn't change anything. The value of a player who has to be traded is virtually nil.
- Michael_Stuart

If he was playing as well as Patrick was playing in his prime - especially in the playoffs - teams would be jumping at the chance of taking him. Lou's stats have trended downward in the past two years and he's 34. That's what makes the contract horrible. If he was playing like the best goaltender in the league, Schneider would have been traded two season ago.

There were multiple teams gunning for Lu. He was holding an auction.
- walshyleafsfan

Well why the hell not? These guys have everyone giving up blue chip prospects for the guy. I'm sure they're teams lining up for his service's

You people are freaking clueless. If he didn't actually "announce" it, would anything be any different??? NO!!! It would be the same whether he publicly said it or not.

If you're saying it's because Schneider got put into the starter's role, then that was on the coach, not the GM.

So, no, you have not answered why Gillis should be fired.
- KB3Point0

Gillis nor anyone in the organization should have ANNOUNCED Cory as the starter. Even if it was going to be the case other teams were calling and offering for Schneider. Gillis could have made the demands ridiculous for Cory therefor making Lu a little more appealing. Instead Gillis let AV announce to the world that Cory wasn't going anywhere and Lu had to move. That my friend is decreasing leverage and backing the team into a corner. They should have kept their plans to themselves and used one against the other in trade negotiations. Sheer stupidity to do what they did and to argue otherwise is just joining them on that train

This is actually true. Leafs desperately wanted him (they even had a deal in place but Luongo didn't wanna join the Leafs), the Panthers want him, Islanders want him (or ANY goalie), the Lightning want him. Like I was saying, at the end of the day it's going to come down to whichever team can put together the best package. I still think he''ll go to Florida as they have some nice pieces to give in return plus Luongo wants to go there.
- hankthetank

and you got this from where?

Let's all rewind one second. Gillis's indecision is largely to blame for the decrease in Luongo's trade value but it starts long before this year.

Two years ago, the Canucks held a trade chip at the deadline that could have fetched a great young player, or two, in an attempt to give the team a better chance at winning the Stanley Cup then, and moving forward. That chip was Cory Schneider. Gillis failed to trade Schneider when he could, and then Alain Vigneault made Cory Schneider the starter in the middle of that first round series. That's not what sealed the deal.

Gillis could have continued on with belief in Luongo, and fetched a bounty for Schneider. Or, he could have kept quiet, not tipped his hat, and quietly taken offers for both goalies with the intention of dealing Luongo. Instead, the team came out and said that Schneider was 'the guy'. That's all fine and good, as Schneider's a fantastic goaltender, but it completely eliminated any value for Luongo on the trade market.

As has been pointed out by a fellow Lightning fan, the Canucks lost all leverage in negotiations. It's widely known that the team has to get rid of Luongo. Why pay a high price for something that is going to have to happen regardless? That's the mindset every potential buyer has right now. The market for him wasn't very big to begin with, given the length of his contract. Gillis screwed this up royally. This coming from as big of a Luongo fan as you'll find.

Luongo could be Patrick Roy in his prime, and that wouldn't change anything. The value of a player who has to be traded is virtually nil.
- Michael_Stuart

Gillis's procrastination is legendary.

Gillis nor anyone in the organization should have ANNOUNCED Cory as the starter. Even if it was going to be the case other teams were calling and offering for Schneider. Gillis could have made the demands ridiculous for Cory therefor making Lu a little more appealing. Instead Gillis let AV announce to the world that Cory wasn't going anywhere and Lu had to move. That my friend is decreasing leverage and backing the team into a corner. They should have kept their plans to themselves and used one against the other in trade negotiations. Sheer stupidity to do what they did and to argue otherwise is just joining them on that train
- uf1910

He's been a passenger for some time now evidently.

This is actually true. Leafs desperately wanted him (they even had a deal in place but Luongo didn't wanna join the Leafs), the Panthers want him, Islanders want him (or ANY goalie), the Lightning want him. Like I was saying, at the end of the day it's going to come down to whichever team can put together the best package. I still think he''ll go to Florida as they have some nice pieces to give in return plus Luongo wants to go there.
- hankthetank

Is any of this actually true though. If that is the case, Gillis really has been neglectful. (or short sighted)

So WTF is Gillis doing there in the first place? What is his function? Between your former coach and owner doesn't sound like you need a GM? Did MG trade and draft players too or was that the owner or coach? I get the owner pushing his contract our crazy owner did the same thing with DP but if you think Gillis didn't play his cards right with this Luongo mess you're nuts and beyond help. Are you really questioning that?
- Cptmjl

Why do you think he was offered so much before, but suddenly those offers have dried up? He hasn't been offered anything from a team Luongo would waive his no trade to go to yet. But last year was not a hot goalie market. This year should be. I'm not saying they'll get much for him, but they should be able to unload him for something (3rd line center, non-first round picks).

You stated that he should be fired for his handling of the situation. I disagree as he hasn't really been able to do anything other than what he's done. The only other option he could have taken before now was to unload him at the trade deadline for nothing AND eat some of his salary, just so Nonis could get back at him for taking his job. That's ridiculous. They're better off buying him out than eating any salary at all.

He has not done anything that should cost his job with regards to the Luongo situation. You can argue some of his other moves perhaps, or more likely his inability to make some moves (acquiring a 3rd line center at some point in the past 2 years would have been nice, so would firing AV years ago) but you have yet to show why he should lose his job over the Luongo situation.

If he was playing as well as Patrick was playing in his prime - especially in the playoffs - teams would be jumping at the chance of taking him. Lou's stats have trended downward in the past two years and he's 34. That's what makes the contract horrible. If he was playing like the best goaltender in the league, Schneider would have been traded two season ago.
- Canuckleafer

I was using that exaggeration to make my point, but everything you've said here is true. Though, I still don't believe that teams would be all over Luongo, at 34, even if he was playing lights out hockey. His contract negates so much of the value because of that fear factor.

F?ck no!

The Canucks need another Taylor Pyatt like they need anouther hole in the head.
- IanEsplen

To be honest, Pyatt isn't that bad. And he's pretty!

and you got this from where?
- Cptmjl

It's called "common sense." Unless the Islanders are planning to go with Dipietro next season?
It was also reported by a few insiders. But you're probably more connected to the Islanders, huh?
I would do Luongo for Nino, Dehaan and the Islanders 1st. Gillis would probably have to add in the rights to Raymond or something but a nice trade for both sides.

Gillis's procrastination is legendary.
- VanHockeyGuy

"Full and thorough reviews"

This is why GM's publicly state all the time that they are trading players with 12 yr contracts. All of them do it. Has no effect on trade value whatsoever. That's why they all do it.


- Cptmjl

Would it be any different if Snow announced he was trying to trade DiPietro? No, cause the rest of the league doesn't need to hear an announcement to know what's happening.

source?
- Cptmjl

Botchford.

It's called "common sense." Unless the Islanders are planning to go with Dipietro next season?
It was also reported by a few insiders. But you're probably more connected to the Islanders, huh?
I would do Luongo for Nino, Dehaan and the Islanders 1st. Gillis would probably have to add in the rights to Raymond or something but a nice trade for both sides.
- hankthetank

On what planet is that a good deal for both sides? They trade three, potentially very good to great young pieces to the Canucks for a 34 year old goaltender on the downswing of his career with a contract that makes RDP's look cap friendly.

Why do you think he was offered so much before, but suddenly those offers have dried up? He hasn't been offered anything from a team Luongo would waive his no trade to go to yet. But last year was not a hot goalie market. This year should be. I'm not saying they'll get much for him, but they should be able to unload him for something (3rd line center, non-first round picks).

You stated that he should be fired for his handling of the situation. I disagree as he hasn't really been able to do anything other than what he's done. The only other option he could have taken before now was to unload him at the trade deadline for nothing AND eat some of his salary, just so Nonis could get back at him for taking his job. That's ridiculous. They're better off buying him out than eating any salary at all.
He has not done anything that should cost his job with regards to the Luongo situation. You can argue some of his other moves perhaps, or more likely his inability to make some moves (acquiring a 3rd line center at some point in the past 2 years would have been nice, so would firing AV years ago) but you have yet to show why he should lose his job over the Luongo situation.
- KB3Point0

OK. So they are better off buying him out than trading him for something, anything. Of course. Buy him out, have a team pick him up for nothing but salary, you get no return. That's genius. Done here, have a good one

To be honest, Pyatt isn't that bad. And he's pretty!
- micah555

This is actually true. Leafs desperately wanted him (they even had a deal in place but Luongo didn't wanna join the Leafs), the Panthers want him, Islanders want him (or ANY goalie), the Lightning want him. Like I was saying, at the end of the day it's going to come down to whichever team can put together the best package. I still think he''ll go to Florida as they have some nice pieces to give in return plus Luongo wants to go there.
- hankthetank

The truth of the mater is none of us -whether you're a Canuck fan or otherwise know how interested teams were interested in or made offers for Lou. It could have been 6 - it could have been 0.

What is clear is that the new CBA threw a wrench into MG's plans. He held out, potentially hoping for more and it cost him.

I'm going golfing, this poop is getting old. Real old!