LOL...U think Luongo will be the only goaltender available this summer
???....


U want the Leafs to deal for him so u can laugh at it after...run along...
- Fruitcakenipple

Actually I would not laugh. I really think Luongo is a #1 G and will still be for a long time. The Leafs have had great goalies in the past two decades (CuJo, Belfour, Potvin) and I think Bobbie Lu would be in that same mold. I really think he would lead the Leafs to multiple playoff berths. What happens in the playoffs is unknown... but out of all the goalies available he is the best option by far. Thomas won't be traded to the Leafs so rule that option out.

What makes you think that?
- The Law

its the leafs... always expect the worst case scenario to happen.

You know while he's been slagged to death in Vancouver, and remains thee most polarizing figuere in Canucks history, you put this guy on the Leafs this past season, and they WIN The Division. Put him on a slightly stronger defensive based team NEXT year in TDOT and they'll make the playoffs guarenteed. He IS THAT DAMN good......in the REGULAR season. Come playoff time, with the pressure wicked up, he starts to overthink himself and gets into lazy habits of going down way waaayyyy to easy. BUT for a city that hasn't sniffed the playoffs in EONS, who in the hell cares about what happens AFTER you make it, get there and see what happens. Plus he'd be the best thing EVER for REimer going forward and that ALONE would justify his contract. Schenn and probably LOmbardi or Connolly would have to come back to justify the numbers, seemingly a win win for both teams. Canucks get some cap relief barying Lombo/Conns in the minors while Schenn allows either Bieksa or Salo or perhaps both to be moved for more offensive help, the LEAFS FINALLY make the playoffs for at least the next 4 years.....win win.......don't see many of those anymore...

Gillis said he wants to add toughness upfront, so I expect him to target Malone in a deal with Tampa
- jbold

Really think Tampa wants to add a Lecavalier 2.0??

What makes you think that?
- The Law

Listen to him talk. He's a super competitive guy. No way this guy doesn't play out the entire contract and there is nothing to suggest he will.

The entire Canucks roster under-acheived. They lost in the SC finals last year because their forwards weren't scoring or capitalizing on their chances. And the same is said for this year...their defense did not step up and guys like Kesler actualy stepped down by acting like a fool and doing what he's now know to do best...dive and whine. Shame too, cause he's a damn good player when he's not crying.

Schneider is going to be a damn good goalie and the VAN fans are just super pumped to see him get the #1 job. But in doing that I think you're right, the're forgetting how good Luongo can be.

In the end, I'm mildly interested in the Leafs getting him, hate his 10 years remaining but he would definitely be the easiest route to the playoffs for the Leafs. Although if he struggled to start the year, Toronto fans would rip him apart.
- Juice

Gillis said he wants to add toughness upfront, so I expect him to target Malone in a deal with Tampa
- jbold

This is what I've thought for some time.

Leafs would be better off going after Harding or someone via free agency. Lu is a good tender, better than Riemer for sure, but will cost a lot to get him and has an ugly contract to be stuck with.

I think Tampa is the only real possibility for a destination for Lu. Don't have to move as much money out (compared to Toronto) to fit him in and they have no goalie to speak of going forward, which will make them more desperate than other teams, thus probably creating the most desirable package going Vancouver's way.

its the leafs... always expect the worst case scenario to happen.
- senstroll

My point wasn't even leaf specific though. I think its foolish to expect someone of Luongo's character to retire early. I don't think anyone could pressure him to, he's too strong a personality.

- Canuckfan2006

Which part?

Really think Tampa wants to add a Lecavalier 2.0??



- noename09

Lou's actually salary for the next 6yrs is $6.7mil per... Thats a boatload of coin for a team like TB to take on..I'm thinking they will be looking at cheaper options...

If the plan is to trade for Luongo because you fully believe that he will happily walk away from the game and retire early, well, that has backfire written all over it. Doesn't matter who the team is.

If this trade goes down, I look forward to the discussion 5 years from now about this move.
- Lohaus

Luongo will and should play strongly for 5-6 years. After that, he either sits as full backup, bought out or retires. Could say that for just about any team he moves too, however not all teams can afford to buy him out.

then thats Dumb, Dumb, Dumb...

If I am negotiating with Van. I bring it up every other sentence
- senstroll

Oh for sure ...BB should use that card in any negotiation. But internally he (and everyone else) knows full well that the contract is a perverbial "retirement contract". It's a dinosaur of a contract. One milly won't be enough to get Luongo to even consider washing his jockstrap let alone staying in shape, going through a preseason, working his ass off all year, and likely playing backup .....at age 39.

I think he ends up in TBay anyway.

Leafs would be better off going after Harding or someone via free agency. Lu is a good tender, better than Riemer for sure, but will cost a lot to get him and has an ugly contract to be stuck with.

I think Tampa is the only real possibility for a destination for Lu. Don't have to move as much money out (compared to Toronto) to fit him in and they have no goalie to speak of going forward, which will make them more desperate than other teams, thus probably creating the most desirable package going Vancouver's way.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Yup. Agreed.

I'd be perfectly happy with the Leafs trying to sign Harding to a 2-3 year deal. Or sign Vokoun and cross your fingers.

Luongo's contract is simply far too long to make it worth while for the leafs.

By Brian Burke's plan, in 2-3 years Luongo will be back in the same situation with Scrivens/Rynass/Owuya hopefully breathing down his neck.

its the leafs... always expect the worst case scenario to happen.
- senstroll

Id be a lot happier of a fan if I followed this!!

Im only with a Luongo deal if it is a huge steal for the Leafs.... which it wont be.

And go vote for Grabo for the play of the year because.... (frank) Philly.

Lou's actually salary for the next 6yrs is $6.7mil per... Thats a boatload of coin for a team like TB to take on..I'm thinking they will be looking at cheaper options...
- Fruitcakenipple

Everyone will be, either Loloungo gets sold for dirt cheap, or Vancouver has the dynamic duo in net again come October.

Leafs would be better off going after Harding or someone via free agency. Lu is a good tender, better than Riemer for sure, but will cost a lot to get him and has an ugly contract to be stuck with.

I think Tampa is the only real possibility for a destination for Lu. Don't have to move as much money out (compared to Toronto) to fit him in and they have no goalie to speak of going forward, which will make them more desperate than other teams, thus probably creating the most desirable package going Vancouver's way.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

http://my.hockeybuzz.com/...er_id=99913&post_id=13385

Cause there's zero evidence or proof that Luongo will walk away for the last 4-5 years.

He can stay and sit on the bench while taking up valuable cap space if he wants to, at which the "backfire" part kicks in.
- Juice

It's 3 years or maybe 4 ....but I hear ya ...of course their's no evidence but that's because if there was evidence the contract would have been void for circumvention. It's all speculation but I'm going to cross that line and use some of my common sense ...39 yrs old ...hot wifey ...hot g'friends, multi millions in pockets, other business opportunities, golfing, fishing, drinking face-off, recreational drug use ....all of these things will trump playing back up for the Leafs at one milly per year.

its the leafs... always expect the worst case scenario to happen.
- senstroll

This part is true

Yup. Agreed.

I'd be perfectly happy with the Leafs trying to sign Harding to a 2-3 year deal. Or sign Vokoun and cross your fingers.
Luongo's contract is simply far too long to make it worth while for the leafs.

By Brian Burke's plan, in 2-3 years Luongo will be back in the same situation with Scrivens/Rynass/Owuya hopefully breathing down his neck.
- Juice

Really?! Not tired of crossing your fingers...

Actually I would not laugh. I really think Luongo is a #1 G and will still be for a long time. The Leafs have had great goalies in the past two decades (CuJo, Belfour, Potvin) and I think Bobbie Lu would be in that same mold. I really think he would lead the Leafs to multiple playoff berths. What happens in the playoffs is unknown... but out of all the goalies available he is the best option by far. Thomas won't be traded to the Leafs so rule that option out.
- riceroni

are you forgetting Rask for Raycroft (Bruins rape), Kessell for Sequin, Hamilton and Knight (Boston multiple gang rape), Colbourne for Kaberle (Bruins win cup so another big time rear entry up the choochoo of Leaf nation). To suggest for a SECOND that THomas (another AMERICAN with good history with Burke (in MASSIVE job preservation mode)) has no chance in ending in TDOT, well dream on. As long as it's not for your 1st, him and Luongo are thee ONLY choices and chances to save Burke's job. Luongo's the smarter play cause he'll do for Reimer what he did for Schneider (where as Timmy's pissed off Rask so bad that Rask has stated either he's #1 next year or he either demands a move or he'll go back to finland and NOT REPORT to training camp). Burke of course will go with the guy as arrogant as he is AND probably give away the 1st in another never ending gift basket to the b's, his future job.......

It's 3 years or maybe 4 ....but I hear ya ...of course their's no evidence but that's because if there was evidence the contract would have been void for circumvention. It's all speculation but I'm going to cross that line and use some of my common sense ...39 yrs old ...hot wifey ...hot g'friends, multi millions in pockets, other business opportunities, golfing, fishing, drinking face-off, recreational drug use ....all of these things will trump playing back up for the Leafs at one milly per year.
- The Law

Tough to arge that.

Listen to him talk. He's a super competitive guy. No way this guy doesn't play out the entire contract and there is nothing to suggest he will.
- Lohaus

There is common sense and good judgment ....just saying.

...and would it be out of the realm of possibility to imagine a GM having a conversation with Lou about his intentions?

Lou's actually salary for the next 6yrs is $6.7mil per... Thats a boatload of coin for a team like TB to take on..I'm thinking they will be looking at cheaper options...
- Fruitcakenipple

I think certain teams can "afford" to take on/sign longterm contracts....but when you have Vinny signed until 2020 @ $7.7M...... another longterm contract wont happen.