Howard Berger: Leaf Fans Don't Know Pressure

Exactly, Luongo is the best goaltending option going into the offseason. Yet all anyone cares about is his contract, just think the effect of actually having a stable goaltender in net would be for this team. Players would be able to play there game instead of having to worry about pretty much playing goalie themselves. Everyone on the team may actually have a chance to be a + player, imagine that. The prospects would be able to be brought along nicely, without instability. He's a veteran, would be nice to add veteran leadership to the lineup, who better then the goalie? The trickledown effect Luongo would have on this team would be infectious, breeding of positivity, it would allow everyone to settle down and not try to overcompensate leading to more mistakes. Bottom line, Luongo would improve the teams play as a whole, just as he did for the Canucks when he first came in, and as he has, if the Canucks trade him they will realize the impact he actually had on the team.

Exactly, Luongo is the best goaltending option going into the offseason. Yet all anyone cares about is his contract, just think the effect of actually having a stable goaltender in net would be for this team. Players would be able to play there game instead of having to worry about pretty much playing goalie themselves. Everyone on the team may actually have a chance to be a + player, imagine that. The prospects would be able to be brought along nicely, without instability. He's a veteran, would be nice to add veteran leadership to the lineup, who better then the goalie? The trickledown effect Luongo would have on this team would be infectious, breeding of positivity, it would allow everyone to settle down and not try to overcompensate leading to more mistakes. Bottom line, Luongo would improve the teams play as a whole, just as he did for the Canucks when he first came in, and as he has, if the Canucks trade him they will realize the impact he actually had on the team.
- ThePresident

You mean if the Canucks trade him away in favour of the younger and better goalie who's been the only one to win a game for them in the playoffs and use the 5.33 million in freed up cap room on an added top 6 forward or top 2 D-man, the Canucks will be worse off? I think that assertion requires some further explanation.

You mean if the Canucks trade him away in favour of the younger and better goalie who's been the only one to win a game for them in the playoffs and use the 5.33 million in freed up cap room on an added top 6 forward or top 2 D-man, the Canucks will be worse off? I think that assertion requires some further explanation.
- 1979AD

You mean, you've never seen a goalie exhibit great play over a handful of games? He's 27 years old, and is yet to play over 33 games in a season. You're nuts if you actually think Schneider is a better goaltender all around then Luongo. Until he proves he has the endurance to play a whole NHL season, he isn't worth the hype he is receiving. Is he a great backup? Yeah, he is? Is he a great starter, no one knows because he hasn't played over 50 games in a season, can he last?

Also, it should be noted when the Canucks have the more skilled, veteran in net (Luongo), they play more relaxed, relying more on him. When Schneider is in net, they tighten everything up, knowing a 27 year old "rookie" is playing behind them. The Canucks do not appreciate him for what he actually brings to this team, it's going to be funny next season if he is traded.

You mean if the Canucks trade him away in favour of the younger and better goalie who's been the only one to win a game for them in the playoffs and use the 5.33 million in freed up cap room on an added top 6 forward or top 2 D-man, the Canucks will be worse off? I think that assertion requires some further explanation.
- 1979AD

Also, what do you think they are going to sign Schneider to? 4 million per year? I mean come on, what has he proven? I'm pretty sure Toskala was a very good backup goaltender in San Jose as well.

Luongo won't go to another Canadian market. Watch, he will go to Tampa and become a beast again, the spotlight eats some people up when you're constantly under it. But if you can build enough confidence while not having the pressure on you, when it actually gets turned up, it might be easier to handle.

Toronto should try to get him, but I see Tampa as the only real option simply because of his family ties to the Sunshine state. Oh, and Tampa IMO has a brighter future than Toronto. Lots of optimism there and in a year or two they could be back.

Luongo won't go to another Canadian market. Watch, he will go to Tampa and become a beast again, the spotlight eats some people up when you're constantly under it. But if you can build enough confidence while not having the pressure on you, when it actually gets turned up, it might be easier to handle.

Toronto should try to get him, but I see Tampa as the only real option simply because of his family ties to the Sunshine state. Oh, and Tampa IMO has a brighter future than Toronto. Lots of optimism there and in a year or two they could be back.
- BodyCheckRadio

His numbers have not even been that atrocious, people talk as if he's Bryzgalov, Fleury, or Theodore.

His numbers have not even been that atrocious, people talk as if he's Bryzgalov, Fleury, or Theodore.
- ThePresident

Odd you would mention 3 goalies who have won more playoff games this post season than him.

And isnt that what counts?

And let's talk pressure Berger.

Are you going to tell me Kessel doesn't face as much pressure as Louongo?

I believe Kessel knows the pressure of Olympics, of rabid media, and of an insane fan base. He, unlike Louongo, was brought to this team billed by management as a saviour. Our future as a team was mortgaged to obtain the kid.

But no one knows Louongos pressure eh?

Remember last year when they were up in the Boston series and Lou almost had a meltdown because no one was pumping his tires?

Totally handled that pressure well.

Louongo is a nut job. He would be eaten alive by the media.

Especially by guys like you.

Gee Wizz Howard
My opposition to "Lui" playing for the Leafs was based on performance and contract.Not the "pressure" of playing in Toronto.I did point out that Canada won the Gold "in spite of him, not because of him" though.I do have my doubts about "Lui" in pressure games, be it in Peoria or Toronto

Odd you would mention 3 goalies who have won more playoff games this post season than him.

And isnt that what counts?
- IronMaidnick

Do you think those goaltenders are winning those games for there teams?

Gee Wizz Howard
My opposition to "Lui" playing for the Leafs was based on performance and contract.Not the "pressure" of playing in Toronto.I did point out that Canada won the Gold "in spite of him, not because of him" though.I do have my doubts about "Lui" in pressure games, be it in Peoria or Toronto
- stoned

How so? They won with him in net...period. Saying anything other than that is 100% speculation based on nothing but an opinion.

What is this...a Panthers blog? I gotta wait an hour for a reply

What is this...a Panthers blog? I gotta wait an hour for a reply
- Juice

How so? They won with him in net...period. Saying anything other than that is 100% speculation based on nothing but an opinion.
- Juice

Opinions are a funny thing, we all have them
In regards to the Olympics,I think mine was shared by more than myself

Opinions are a funny thing, we all have them
In regards to the Olympics,I think mine was shared by more than myself
- stoned

Difference is, Luongo supporters have evidence that the team needed him to win the Gold....Luongo doubters have absolutely zero evidence that they would have won without him.

Difference is, Luongo supporters have evidence that the team needed him to win the Gold....Luongo doubters have absolutely zero evidence that they would have won without him.
- Juice

I agree, they won the gold in spite of him being in net
so logically he would need to be in net for Canada to win the gold

Im pretty sure your team needs to score to be able to win a hockey game, those losses were no fault to luongo, but yes toronto is no better off that vancover for him pressure wize

Come on Howie, you have an opinion just the same as the rest of us. Just so happens that Luongo hasn't proven anything to me.

He's proven that he's good enough to take a good team to the Stanley Cup Finals once and not win. You know who else has done that? Michael Leighton. Ray Emery. Dwayne Roloson. All that a single trip to the SCF's proves is that even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.

So he won an Olympic gold medal? Sure, he did...barely. And they didn't have enough confidence in the guy coming into the Olympics to start him in his home arena, and instead went to an aging Martin Brodeur when it became apparent that he couldn't compete at that level.

Team Canada won that gold medal IN SPITE OF Luongo, and Thornton and Heatley for that matter. That team should have won those games for 4 or 5 more goals than they did. They squeaked in, they squeaked by, but Luongo was not a major player.

If he comes to Toronto, he's an upgrade. But he'll struggle, perhaps not all the time, but he'll struggle, just the same as he's struggled in Vancouver from time to time. The national media (as in Toronto media) constantly doubts that he should be starting in Vancouver, this isn't new. This has been going on for a couple of years. So what's gonna change with you and your cronies if/when Luongo comes to Toronto. You already cut the guy to ribbons every time he plays poorly, what are you gonna do when he plays for your own team. Your highs will be higher, your lows will be lower, and make no mistake about it, Roberto Luongo is not a goaltender who handles lows well at all. You'll get down on him, he'll get down on himself, and you'll get further down on him, and the cycle continues. You cannibalize your own players on a nightly basis for not being good enough, and there's definitely some truth to that, but pro athletes are still people, and opening up a newspaper or turning on the radio to hear people doubting your abilities at the only thing you've ever done well in your life is enough to break down even the most confident athlete, and Luongo's confidence has all the tensile strength of a Faberge egg.

You can hope you'll get him, and maybe Burke will do it. But make no mistake. You, and the hundreds of others just like you, will be killing this guy during his first losing streak, and he'll NEVER be the guy you want him to be for specifically that reason. Want to know part of the reason why the Leafs can't get it together? It's the pressure that you guys put on them in the public eye every stinking day of their lives. Until you guys learn to focus on the positives, instead of killing your captain or your young goaltenders or whoever committed an egregious turnover the previous night, your team is going to struggle just to get to the black ink. Go ahead and trade for Luongo, but you better hope that you've got more coming than him, because if you don't, all you'll have next year is a non-playoff team with a higher payroll and the perception that your heightened expectations were in any way justified.

Come on Howie, you have an opinion just the same as the rest of us. Just so happens that Luongo hasn't proven anything to me.

He's proven that he's good enough to take a good team to the Stanley Cup Finals once and not win. You know who else has done that? Michael Leighton. Ray Emery. Dwayne Roloson. All that a single trip to the SCF's proves is that even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.

So he won an Olympic gold medal? Sure, he did...barely. And they didn't have enough confidence in the guy coming into the Olympics to start him in his home arena, and instead went to an aging Martin Brodeur when it became apparent that he couldn't compete at that level.

Team Canada won that gold medal IN SPITE OF Luongo, and Thornton and Heatley for that matter. That team should have won those games for 4 or 5 more goals than they did. They squeaked in, they squeaked by, but Luongo was not a major player.

If he comes to Toronto, he's an upgrade. But he'll struggle, perhaps not all the time, but he'll struggle, just the same as he's struggled in Vancouver from time to time. The national media (as in Toronto media) constantly doubts that he should be starting in Vancouver, this isn't new. This has been going on for a couple of years. So what's gonna change with you and your cronies if/when Luongo comes to Toronto. You already cut the guy to ribbons every time he plays poorly, what are you gonna do when he plays for your own team. Your highs will be higher, your lows will be lower, and make no mistake about it, Roberto Luongo is not a goaltender who handles lows well at all. You'll get down on him, he'll get down on himself, and you'll get further down on him, and the cycle continues. You cannibalize your own players on a nightly basis for not being good enough, and there's definitely some truth to that, but pro athletes are still people, and opening up a newspaper or turning on the radio to hear people doubting your abilities at the only thing you've ever done well in your life is enough to break down even the most confident athlete, and Luongo's confidence has all the tensile strength of a Faberge egg.

You can hope you'll get him, and maybe Burke will do it. But make no mistake. You, and the hundreds of others just like you, will be killing this guy during his first losing streak, and he'll NEVER be the guy you want him to be for specifically that reason. Want to know part of the reason why the Leafs can't get it together? It's the pressure that you guys put on them in the public eye every stinking day of their lives. Until you guys learn to focus on the positives, instead of killing your captain or your young goaltenders or whoever committed an egregious turnover the previous night, your team is going to struggle just to get to the black ink. Go ahead and trade for Luongo, but you better hope that you've got more coming than him, because if you don't, all you'll have next year is a non-playoff team with a higher payroll and the perception that your heightened expectations were in any way justified.
- the_terror

cue the "slow clap"

Come on Howie, you have an opinion just the same as the rest of us. Just so happens that Luongo hasn't proven anything to me.

He's proven that he's good enough to take a good team to the Stanley Cup Finals once and not win. You know who else has done that? Michael Leighton. Ray Emery. Dwayne Roloson. All that a single trip to the SCF's proves is that even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.

So he won an Olympic gold medal? Sure, he did...barely. And they didn't have enough confidence in the guy coming into the Olympics to start him in his home arena, and instead went to an aging Martin Brodeur when it became apparent that he couldn't compete at that level.

Team Canada won that gold medal IN SPITE OF Luongo, and Thornton and Heatley for that matter. That team should have won those games for 4 or 5 more goals than they did. They squeaked in, they squeaked by, but Luongo was not a major player.

If he comes to Toronto, he's an upgrade. But he'll struggle, perhaps not all the time, but he'll struggle, just the same as he's struggled in Vancouver from time to time. The national media (as in Toronto media) constantly doubts that he should be starting in Vancouver, this isn't new. This has been going on for a couple of years. So what's gonna change with you and your cronies if/when Luongo comes to Toronto. You already cut the guy to ribbons every time he plays poorly, what are you gonna do when he plays for your own team. Your highs will be higher, your lows will be lower, and make no mistake about it, Roberto Luongo is not a goaltender who handles lows well at all. You'll get down on him, he'll get down on himself, and you'll get further down on him, and the cycle continues. You cannibalize your own players on a nightly basis for not being good enough, and there's definitely some truth to that, but pro athletes are still people, and opening up a newspaper or turning on the radio to hear people doubting your abilities at the only thing you've ever done well in your life is enough to break down even the most confident athlete, and Luongo's confidence has all the tensile strength of a Faberge egg.

You can hope you'll get him, and maybe Burke will do it. But make no mistake. You, and the hundreds of others just like you, will be killing this guy during his first losing streak, and he'll NEVER be the guy you want him to be for specifically that reason. Want to know part of the reason why the Leafs can't get it together? It's the pressure that you guys put on them in the public eye every stinking day of their lives. Until you guys learn to focus on the positives, instead of killing your captain or your young goaltenders or whoever committed an egregious turnover the previous night, your team is going to struggle just to get to the black ink. Go ahead and trade for Luongo, but you better hope that you've got more coming than him, because if you don't, all you'll have next year is a non-playoff team with a higher payroll and the perception that your heightened expectations were in any way justified.
- the_terror

Well done! Hope Cox Simmons and Feschuk and every other dimwit that makes a living biting the hand that feeds them reads this

And let's talk pressure Berger.

Are you going to tell me Kessel doesn't face as much pressure as Louongo?

I believe Kessel knows the pressure of Olympics, of rabid media, and of an insane fan base. He, unlike Louongo, was brought to this team billed by management as a saviour. Our future as a team was mortgaged to obtain the kid.

But no one knows Louongos pressure eh?

Remember last year when they were up in the Boston series and Lou almost had a meltdown because no one was pumping his tires?

Totally handled that pressure well.

Louongo is a nut job. He would be eaten alive by the media.

Especially by guys like you.
- IronMaidnick

there are different kinds of pressure. there's pressure placed on you by fan and media expectation, and there's in-game pressure to perform and win. in Toronto, you face the former. there's no in-game pressure because you play so few meaningful games and you're not really expected to compete anyway.

Come on Howie, you have an opinion just the same as the rest of us. Just so happens that Luongo hasn't proven anything to me.

He's proven that he's good enough to take a good team to the Stanley Cup Finals once and not win. You know who else has done that? Michael Leighton. Ray Emery. Dwayne Roloson. All that a single trip to the SCF's proves is that even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.

So he won an Olympic gold medal? Sure, he did...barely. And they didn't have enough confidence in the guy coming into the Olympics to start him in his home arena, and instead went to an aging Martin Brodeur when it became apparent that he couldn't compete at that level.

Team Canada won that gold medal IN SPITE OF Luongo, and Thornton and Heatley for that matter. That team should have won those games for 4 or 5 more goals than they did. They squeaked in, they squeaked by, but Luongo was not a major player.

If he comes to Toronto, he's an upgrade. But he'll struggle, perhaps not all the time, but he'll struggle, just the same as he's struggled in Vancouver from time to time. The national media (as in Toronto media) constantly doubts that he should be starting in Vancouver, this isn't new. This has been going on for a couple of years. So what's gonna change with you and your cronies if/when Luongo comes to Toronto. You already cut the guy to ribbons every time he plays poorly, what are you gonna do when he plays for your own team. Your highs will be higher, your lows will be lower, and make no mistake about it, Roberto Luongo is not a goaltender who handles lows well at all. You'll get down on him, he'll get down on himself, and you'll get further down on him, and the cycle continues. You cannibalize your own players on a nightly basis for not being good enough, and there's definitely some truth to that, but pro athletes are still people, and opening up a newspaper or turning on the radio to hear people doubting your abilities at the only thing you've ever done well in your life is enough to break down even the most confident athlete, and Luongo's confidence has all the tensile strength of a Faberge egg.

You can hope you'll get him, and maybe Burke will do it. But make no mistake. You, and the hundreds of others just like you, will be killing this guy during his first losing streak, and he'll NEVER be the guy you want him to be for specifically that reason. Want to know part of the reason why the Leafs can't get it together? It's the pressure that you guys put on them in the public eye every stinking day of their lives. Until you guys learn to focus on the positives, instead of killing your captain or your young goaltenders or whoever committed an egregious turnover the previous night, your team is going to struggle just to get to the black ink. Go ahead and trade for Luongo, but you better hope that you've got more coming than him, because if you don't, all you'll have next year is a non-playoff team with a higher payroll and the perception that your heightened expectations were in any way justified.
- the_terror

this might be the dumbest thing i've ever read.

You mean, you've never seen a goalie exhibit great play over a handful of games? He's 27 years old, and is yet to play over 33 games in a season. You're nuts if you actually think Schneider is a better goaltender all around then Luongo. Until he proves he has the endurance to play a whole NHL season, he isn't worth the hype he is receiving. Is he a great backup? Yeah, he is? Is he a great starter, no one knows because he hasn't played over 50 games in a season, can he last?

Also, it should be noted when the Canucks have the more skilled, veteran in net (Luongo), they play more relaxed, relying more on him. When Schneider is in net, they tighten everything up, knowing a 27 year old "rookie" is playing behind them. The Canucks do not appreciate him for what he actually brings to this team, it's going to be funny next season if he is traded.
- ThePresident

Mr. President:
I'm grateful (and a little surprised) that a Maple Leaf fan is backing Lu as strongly as you are. Good for you. He is a good goalie. But I think you are a bit misguided in regards to his value to the Canucks. The Canuck players have lost faith in Lu. You can see it when Lu let's in one of his softies. At least one per game. It demoralizes the players. I've never seen a group react that way. When Schnieds goes in net there's a different look to the team. The players seem like they want to play harder for him. The defensemen definitely play different in front of Schnieds. More confident, more aggressive.
Most players have a time limit with a team, an expiry date so to speak. Lu's time has come with Canucks. We need his cap hit to get us some scoring help. When Lu leaves it will be addition by subtraction.

We can only hope Burke is in such a desperate state of desperation, that he signs Cory Schneider to an offer sheet he can't refuse.Luongo excites me about as much as day old donuts.Offer him 27.5 over 5 years, 30 if it gets it done