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UPDATE- OFFER FRIDAY TOMORROW. PM ME OFFERS!

So the big news around the NHL over the past 24 hours is that Roberto Luongo has dumped him old agent Gilles Lupien and hired CAA Sports (Barry and Brisson) to represent him.

So with that announcement, every Tom, Dick and Harry chimed in about how this was a shot across the bow at the Vancouver Canucks and how this must mean that he was going to hold out.

I tend to disagree with that. Now I don't know why Luongo switched agents, but one thing that should be noted is Lupien will be turning 60 next year. With that in mind, there is the possibility that he is looking to retire shortly – as he has only two other NHL clients listed on his website – so maybe this was more of a mutual split rather than a dumping.

It should also be noted that in Mike Gillis' time in Vancouver, he has negotiated new deals with several of Barry's clients – the Sedins and Sundin to name a few – and I would imagine talk with Barry about as much as any other agent out there. My guess is their relationship is pretty solid and will continue to be going forward.

So I guess the other questions are why now? And why even hire an agent?

My speculation is that Gillis and the Aquilinis have made Luongo an offer for the coming season.

I believe this is along the lines as to what they have offered Luongo.

Option A
Come play with Vancouver for the season and see what happens. You'll be paid 6.7 million and this is your best opportunity to make the Olympic team and play on a fairly good team. If you are still not happy and don't want to be a Canuck, we will use our other buyout on you at the end of next season if a trade can't be made.

Option B
Sit at home, don't make a dime, don't play and very likely face some sort of fine.


Vancouver had two problems at the draft. One, they needed to move a goalie. And two, they needed to improve the prospect pool.

When trading Luongo wasn't going to help the second problem, Schneider was dealt in order to help fix the second problem and the first problem.

Vancouver now has a group of young players to start the reload around. Rather than going into full, "We're going to suck and hope it gets better" mode, they have a group that fans can look forward to, while still having an above average team.

And two of those young players just happen to be goalies that aren't ready to carry the load this year, but may very well be ready next; hence the possible buyout of Roberto Luongo at the end of the 13/14 season. Lack and Eriksson need a goalie to bridge the gap – enter one more year of Louie

So Canucks fans the reset button has indeed been pushed. The results may take a little longer than month, but on July 1st, 2014 there is a very real possibility Daniel, Henrik and Lu will be out the door and Vancouver will have a young nucleolus in place and somewhere around 30 million (if cap goes up about 4-5 million) to spend.

That my folks is a reset plan.



Well that's a wrap.

Ian


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