Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Report - Luongo Will End Up In Toronto

October 19, 2012, 6:59 AM ET [735 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Toronto's FAN 590 is reporting this morning that a deal between the Maple Leafs and Canucks has been reached and that disgruntled Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo will be in Blue and White when the season starts.

The source of this is John Shannon, formerly of Leafs TV and Hockey Night In Canada, who is well respected and very connected in the hockey world, so his opinion or information should be given proper consideration and weight.

According to the report, the deal will not be announced until the new CBA agreement is reached.

The rumors of the Leafs bringing in Luongo refuse to die, as the Canucks surely want to avoid a media circus by keeping both him and Cory Schneider into next season.

Last month, former NHL enforcer and TVA Sports hockey analyst Enrico Ciccone reported that Leafs general manager Brian Burke contacted Canucks GM Mike Gillis about the status of Luongo, but any movement on that front will likely not happen until after the NHL lockout.

The rumors gained steam with the appearance of Leafs goalie James Reimer practicing in Vancouver earlier in the week.

"Rumors are rumors, anyone can start a rumor and in this case you can't control it," Reimer said. "If he (Luongo) did end up coming to the Leafs then you battle and obviously I'd do my part to try and be in there as many games as possible. But if he came obviously he's a great goalie so I'm sure it would be a good competition and I'd try to learn as much as I could from him. Obviously he's got a lot to teach and I'd just try to learn from him."

The Canucks are not in an enviable position when it comes to Luongo. He is still an effective player who could help a team in the immediate future, but the length and amount of his current contract makes moving him a difficult proposition, especially if Gillis continues to insist on a significant return for him.

The only type of deal that makes sense for Toronto or any other perspective interested team is to move a contract or contracts in exchange to make the financial hit slightly more equal, which in the Leafs current state would mean players like Tim Connolly, Matthew Lombardi or Mike Komisarek, not a young and inexpensive commodity like Reimer.

If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.

For Those on Twitter:



KINDLE USERS: Please sign up for Maple Leafs Buzz, which includes a free-of-charge 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month afterwards. For more information click here.
Join the Discussion: » 735 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Mike Augello
» Concerns After Loss To Carolina, Marner Not Traveling
» Podcast Sunday – The Leafs Convo and Off The Post Radio
» Injuries Causing Concerns; St. Pats vs. Hurricanes
» Leafs Rout Fading Flyers; A Highly Interested Spectator
» Is Toronto In On KHL Scoring Star?; Leafs vs. Flyers