Ian Esplen: Lu's Competition Lu's Competition

I concur

Wow, all of those goalies are better than Crawford. The Hawks better upgrade.

I think Toronto ends up Vancouver's trade partner and gets Lu for ? . Tornoto needs to make the playoffs this year and Lu would be a good place for them to start.

Not to mention whatever degree of NTC Lu has. CBJ would love him I'm sure but there's no way he waives to go from penthouse to outhouse.

Teams I'm guessing that would both be interesting to him and interested in him:
TBL
FLA
CHI
DET but only if they are crazy enough to not believe in Howard
NJD if Fatty retires
TOR
- Pea-Brain

Bump for Ian.

I wrote your blog yesterday but I included the NTC factor, making mine better

Wow, all of those goalies are better than Crawford. The Hawks better upgrade.

I think Toronto ends up Vancouver's trade partner and gets Lu for ? . Tornoto needs to make the playoffs this year and Lu would be a good place for them to start.
- mrpaulish

This is what everyone keeps saying, yes.

I agree with Ian's take that Lindback is Lou's biggest competition. Think that goalie is going to be great.

I am a flames fan and sadly have to agree with the " delusional state" comment made by Ian.

I helped make the video at the bottom (linked). Check it out and let me know what you think.

Draft day can't come soon enough! Gillis should have a deal in place by then, if not, it's gonna be a long summer.

It's crazy that you can refer to Harding, Lindback and Bernier as real wild cards but really these guys are on par with Schneider. Great potential and yet unproven. If I am a Vancouver fan I am really hoping Schneider is the real deal. He has looked solid in the few games he has played but is this guy gonna be able to play 60 games? Furthermore he has never played on a team with bad D. The entire time he's seen ice it's been with a stellar D core in front of him. If the Van D collapses he might as well. I am of the opinion if you put Schneider on the Oilers he'd get lit up like a christmas tree. Luongo was on a terrible Florida team and still put up fantastic numbers. Say what you will about Lu not being able to clutch up when it counts but at least he is guaranteed to get you to the point where you can play big games. Bottom line is the hype machine is working overtime pumping up Cory Schneiders rep and because of that his trade value is at an all time high. He could turn into an all star or he could turn into a bust. Right now you are getting all star value for him. If I'm Van I keep Lu a proven goaltender and trade Schneider to the highest bidder.

Lu end up on the Leafs...It makes the Most sense.

To Toronto: Luongo

To Vancouver: Tim Connolly, Armstrong

Both Are UFA's next summer Connolly will be on the IR most of the Year and Armdog (if healthy) gives a little more sandpaper to the Nucks

Both can be shed at the Deadline too.

Luongo Needs to be the "star" and The Spot light of Toronto will give him that. PLus he plays his best when he is peppered with shots..again Toronto will give him that....

Add in Term and Financial responsability that comes with such a gigantic contract and Toronto really seems to be the Perfect Fit.


Luongo will be a Leaf bythe Draft!

Lu end up on the Leafs...It makes the Most sense.

To Toronto: Luongo

To Vancouver: Tim Connolly, Armstrong

Both Are UFA's next summer Connolly will be on the IR most of the Year and Armdog (if healthy) gives a little more sandpaper to the Nucks

Both can be shed at the Deadline too.

Luongo Needs to be the "star" and The Spot light of Toronto will give him that. PLus he plays his best when he is peppered with shots..again Toronto will give him that....

Add in Term and Financial responsability that comes with such a gigantic contract and Toronto really seems to be the Perfect Fit.


Luongo will be a Leaf bythe Draft!
- billyberg10

Not for Armstrong and Connolly he won't. There will be something of value packaged with an undesirable contract, or Lou won't get moved.

Lu end up on the Leafs...It makes the Most sense.

To Toronto: Luongo

To Vancouver: Tim Connolly, Armstrong

Both Are UFA's next summer Connolly will be on the IR most of the Year and Armdog (if healthy) gives a little more sandpaper to the Nucks

Both can be shed at the Deadline too.

Luongo Needs to be the "star" and The Spot light of Toronto will give him that. PLus he plays his best when he is peppered with shots..again Toronto will give him that....

Add in Term and Financial responsability that comes with such a gigantic contract and Toronto really seems to be the Perfect Fit.


Luongo will be a Leaf bythe Draft!
- billyberg10

No freaking chance. the Canucks wouldn't take either of those guys for free. Why would they trade an asset for them? If you want to make the playoffs next year you'll have to do better than that..... my god.

Not for Armstrong and Connolly he won't. There will be something of value packaged with an undesirable contract, or Lou won't get moved.
- Fosco

Ya they'd have to give up Gardiner or Schenn+

It's crazy that you can refer to Harding, Lindback and Bernier as real wild cards but really these guys are on par with Schneider. Great potential and yet unproven. If I am a Vancouver fan I am really hoping Schneider is the real deal. He has looked solid in the few games he has played but is this guy gonna be able to play 60 games? Furthermore he has never played on a team with bad D. The entire time he's seen ice it's been with a stellar D core in front of him. If the Van D collapses he might as well. I am of the opinion if you put Schneider on the Oilers he'd get lit up like a christmas tree. Luongo was on a terrible Florida team and still put up fantastic numbers. Say what you will about Lu not being able to clutch up when it counts but at least he is guaranteed to get you to the point where you can play big games. Bottom line is the hype machine is working overtime pumping up Cory Schneiders rep and because of that his trade value is at an all time high. He could turn into an all star or he could turn into a bust. Right now you are getting all star value for him. If I'm Van I keep Lu a proven goaltender and trade Schneider to the highest bidder.
- Oilersforlife

No, they're not. Nobody is calling them Garbage, but Harding is a career backup (always will be), and neither Lindback or Bernier have had as much success at every level as Schneider.

And at Vancouver's D being stellar.

Colorado & Varlamov?

Did you just need more teams for your list? lol Colorado is a young rebuilding team. If we wanted an older more experienced goalie we would of signed Vokoun when everyone actually thought he was good.

Varlamov may not be as proven as Luongo but he could turn out to be just as good or better. He has the same amazing speed and reflexes Quick does.

Seriously it's almost an insult to include Colorado on that list. I would take Varlamov over Luongo any day of the week just because of the potential hes show when on his game.

Colorado & Varlamov?

Did you just need more teams for your list? lol Colorado is a young rebuilding team. If we wanted an older more experienced goalie we would of signed Vokoun when everyone actually thought he was good.

Varlamov may not be as proven as Luongo but he could turn out to be just as good or better. He has the same amazing speed and reflexes Quick does.

Seriously it's almost an insult to include Colorado on that list. I would take Varlamov over Luongo any day of the week just because of the potential hes show when on his game.
- Steve-B

Lou is an upgrade on Varlamov. I could also say Justin Pogge could turn out to be just as good or better than Luongo, but it's not going to happen.

Vokoun is going to be in the KHL, along with Varlamov after his current contract expires.

Lu end up on the Leafs...It makes the Most sense.

To Toronto: Luongo

To Vancouver: Tim Connolly, Armstrong

Both Are UFA's next summer Connolly will be on the IR most of the Year and Armdog (if healthy) gives a little more sandpaper to the Nucks

Both can be shed at the Deadline too.

Luongo Needs to be the "star" and The Spot light of Toronto will give him that. PLus he plays his best when he is peppered with shots..again Toronto will give him that....

Add in Term and Financial responsability that comes with such a gigantic contract and Toronto really seems to be the Perfect Fit.


Luongo will be a Leaf bythe Draft!
- billyberg10

This trade makes alot of sense to me!! Also, surprise "The Monster's" name didn't make the list! Well, actually, not surprised!!

No freaking chance. the Canucks wouldn't take either of those guys for free. Why would they trade an asset for them? If you want to make the playoffs next year you'll have to do better than that..... my god.
- Boinker

I can't believe the idiotic proposals for Luongo! Here have an All-Star goaltender for free and while you're at it send us your garbage....unfrickin believable?

Yes he has a sh!tty contract but he's still one of the best out there! To me, the NYI make the most sense. But I'm not sure he'd go there or they'd be willing to take on his contract. The Islanders are short on NHL defensemen, maybe they could work something out.

Lou is an upgrade on Varlamov. I could also say Justin Pogge could turn out to be just as good or better than Luongo, but it's not going to happen.

Vokoun is going to be in the KHL, along with Varlamov after his current contract expires.
- Fosco

VoKoun has stated outright that he is NOT going to the KHL! Only way that happens is if nobody in the NHL wants him!

No, they're not. Nobody is calling them Garbage, but Harding is a career backup (always will be), and neither Lindback or Bernier have had as much success at every level as Schneider.

And at Vancouver's D being stellar.
- Fosco

I had to laugh at that one too...apparently he hasn't seen Edler and Bieksa play before.

Lou's biggest competition, might have been elliot however after his poor poor showing in the playoffs his value may have dropped. Not saying lou hasn't had a poor showing here and there but he has also proven himself going to the big show and winning gold. I would also consider Enroth from buffalo as a possible candidate as buffalo needs to upgrade at center ( all hail the mighty all powerful super rookie Hodgson ), he looked good playing behind a team that has no concept of team defence ( all hail the mighty all powerful......getting carried away here ).

That all aside I do believe more and more that lou will end up in toronto. With Nonis there whispering in Burkey's ear coupled with the fact that they NEED to get to the playoffs or the two of them will be looking for work soon. Burke will go out and get Lou, Rick Nash and UFA Dustin Penner. Who cares if he has to give up Kessel, Kadri and a few more cause with those three and Phaneuf this team becomes scarry.

Ya they'd have to give up Gardiner or Schenn+
- Boinker

lololololololololol...Give it a rest. I agree that the Canucks would hangup the phone if Armstrong and Connolly is the offer but you are not getting any assets of real value for Lu. Your cap relief is the value. I say Komisarek and a 2nd or 3rd rounder. Komisarek is what he is and can atleast hold a roster spot and may even progress to somewhat where he used to be in Montreal if he gets out of Toronto. Armstrong and Connolly are useless and won't be moved for anything, just getting them off the books is a win.

I can't believe this hasn't been mentioned yet; CS is going to be Lu's biggest competition. For what MG is going to originally be asking for, teams are going to say "for that price give us Cory!"

Ya they'd have to give up Gardiner or Schenn+
- Boinker

Although it'll take more then Armstrong or Tim, the nucks aren't getting this kind of value for Lu, sorry.

I can't believe the idiotic proposals for Luongo! Here have an All-Star goaltender for free and while you're at it send us your garbage....unfrickin believable?

Yes he has a sh!tty contract but he's still one of the best out there! To me, the NYI make the most sense. But I'm not sure he'd go there or they'd be willing to take on his contract. The Islanders are short on NHL defensemen, maybe they could work something out.
- LeftCoaster

Well, think of it this way.........you guys are between a rock and a hard spot! You have to sign Schneider to good money, which means someone has to go! If it's not Loungo, it's a good roster player, and you already are losing out in the first round playoffs! So, if you keep Loungo AND Schneider........you are going to only get worse and stay worse for years! Loungo has to go NOW while someone will take him off your hands! The cap space alone is worth giving him away........