All speculating aside, hard to see Luongo end up anywhere but Fla. It's likely the best move for all parties.
- k

Really? Tallon would be betting his career that Lu will be a lot better then next 5-6 years than Markstrom—even if he deals Markstrom. Bowman doesn't have that problem.

Tallon is a gambler though.

The Wild disagree:

Parise, Suter, Heatly, Koivu
- The_Inkwell

Good luck to them. Unless they win a cup before their highly touted prospects outlive their entry level contracts, they could be in cap hell for a decade or more.

So they trade Hammer.. Do you/I trust #5 is going to be able to handle 15mins a night? They weaken DEF to get better on Goalie.. I would think you want to rid yourself of Olesz(sp) first.
- victorymc98

They'd need to sign or deal for a guy like Hannan, maybe they get a guy like Tanev from VAN in the deal.

They'd need to sign or deal for a guy like Hannan, maybe they get a guy like Tanev from VAN in the deal.
- John Jaeckel

So this wouldn't be the ONLY move.. just one of a couple.

I think it would be a great move for Chicago, but I can't see Gillis trading him there. If he does, I can't wait for the first round of the playoffs cause they are sure to meet.

Florida doesnt need a goalie.
- mrpaulish

They will not make the playoffs if they don't upgrade. Wash and Car got stronger and Fla will probably finish 3 rd in their division.

Am I the only one that's disgusted with the idea of making a trade with the Nucks? Even though I want to see Hammer/Frolik moved, I'd hate to see them in a Vancouver sweater....

John Jaeckel: He Who Will Not Be Named
- John Jaeckel

Is that like "the sin that dare not speak its name"?

Who said anything about Shaw?
- John Jaeckel

Didn't you read the 80 pages on your last blog?

WE ALL mentioned Shaw.

Luongo would make the Hawks the cup favourite.

Agreed JJ, if Roberta were the Hawk goalie on opening night they would be a better team. Add that upgrading the position will come cheaper dealing for Lou than anyone else. In other words the roster takes the smallest hit getting Lou to upgrade the position.

Will he retire in 5 years? If not is his cap hit moveable? If he can't be moved will the cap be such that in 5 years a 5.3 hit for a #2 isn't choking the team's ability to make improvements elsewhere..... That is what I would examine hard if I'm Hawk brass.

Comparing Lou's contract as a goalie to another position is not the same. Moving a bad contract of a goalie means he is taking up one of two available roster spots. Not so with Dmen or forwards......... So in theory moving a bad goalie contact as compared to a forwards or Dmans is much more difficult. See Huet.

Luongo would make the Hawks the cup favourite.
- flamminghead

Maybe a solid challenger. Favorite, though? The team is still to non-physical up front.

Florida doesnt need a goalie.
- mrpaulish

Markstrom has played exactly 8 nhl games. Theodore is not the Theodore of old. Money is, he ends up in Fla, don't kid yourself.

Who said anything about Shaw?
- John Jaeckel

That was one of the rumors we discussed last night from some very shaky sites

Really? Tallon would be betting his career that Lu will be a lot better then next 5-6 years than Markstrom—even if he deals Markstrom. Bowman doesn't have that problem.

Tallon is a gambler though.
- John Jaeckel

Let's remember, for all the potential, Markstrom has played 8 nhl games. He's, at best, a couple years a way from being trusted to carry a team, and how many great goalie prospects have never turned out. If anything, Tallon could see a similar situation with Schneider. Let Luongo carry the load for 2-3 years, and have marsktrom back up and learn. In 3 years, if Markstrom is ready, Luongo's contract is that much shorter, easier to deal with etc. Also, if Tallon has his eyes on challenging for a Cup in the next few years and has to choose between Markstrom, Theodore and Luongo, easy call.

Smart money is on Fla

Maybe a solid challenger. Favorite, though? The team is still to non-physical up front.
- NewToHockey

True. But aat least they would have confidence in their goalie. Especially in the reg. Season. Lol. Ttat does go a long way. But I'm still not happy at all with the lack of toughness in the top 6. And actually the top 4. Doan would help, too

Markstrom has played exactly 8 nhl games. Theodore is not the Theodore of old. Money is, he ends up in Fla, don't kid yourself.
- k

And if Lou ends up in Florida I'm all over StanBow&Pops&McD acquiring Markstrom. Crawford plays this year and Markstrom is on deck waiting unless he were to beat out Emery and Crawford in camp.

I too am Luongo'd out. I will say this though,JJ your blog was right on. The only thing I will add is .Van/Chi are not the big rivals anymore .Too much has happened in the last two years to carry a grudge. I am more concerned this year with Minny Edm and LA in our conference and I am sure there are other teams that Chi has to be more concerned about. I think also if the NHL does re-allign then it becomes even less of an issue.

Luongo yesterday on Van radio said "It is time to move on.I enjoy playing in the small markets like FLA that you can go for dinner and not be recognized. I also don't mind the high pressure of TOR .Then he ended it by saying I have always enjoyed playing in CHI".

For him to bring up those three names means that there probably more than smoke.
- VANTEL

Luongo would definitely be an upgrade to what the Hawks have now. If they can work out a deal between the teams that's fine by me. It could be a trade that helps both teams.

I am also Luongo'd out but considering the the last topic that was beaten to death here of "how long it would take to drive from Chicago to Madison Wisconsin" I'm happy to talk about Luongo.

It is interesting reading this thread to see Chicago fans start to come around to the idea of Luongo as a Hawk. I do recall a thread about a month ago in which seemed a non-starter, no pun intended. This is not a criticism, an observation.

I can see it now. Game 7 of the WCF in Vancouver. It's OT. Luongo in net for the Hawks when Bieksa takes a soft wrister from the point. Luongo puts his glove out to stop it but doesn't see it (or does he???). As Luongo skates to center ice he winks at Bieksa. The players shake hands and the Hawks go to the dressing room but Luongo is last off the ice. Except he skates to center ice with the rest of the Hawks in the locker room. He pulls off his Hawk Jersey revealing a Canucks jersey and says to the arena "We did it!"

Sorry, got so bored reading 70 pages of Luongo coming to Chicago. Had to lighten things up a bit.

On to more important things, have the Hawks signed Jean Yves Leroux yet?

The only thing I will add is .Van/Chi are not the big rivals.
- VANTEL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3cV688Fi-g [url]

I know it's a couple years old, but still funny. The final comments sum up why I don't want to trade with VAN.

Markstrom has played exactly 8 nhl games. Theodore is not the Theodore of old. Money is, he ends up in Fla, don't kid yourself.
- k

No one is willing to give up any large amount for him or he would be gone already, gillis isnt going to come down, no one is going to go that high up, Fla really does look like his end destination, and If i was a panther fan I'd be pissed (COME PLAY FOR THE PANTHERS YOU MEAN NOTHING TO NO ONE HERE, ENJOY A HASSLE FREE LUNCH)

I have a seriously hard time seeing the nucks deal luongo in the west anywhere anyways, what was the last bigtime goalie you have seen traded inside the conference, no one wants that ghost to haunt them during playoff time.

And if Lou ends up in Florida I'm all over StanBow&Pops&McD acquiring Markstrom. Crawford plays this year and Markstrom is on deck waiting unless he were to beat out Emery and Crawford in camp.
- Mr Ricochet

Fla won't trade their goalie of the future. Chances for a decent goalie are becomming slimmer by the day. Markstom would develop with Luongo for the next 3 years.

Really? Tallon would be betting his career that Lu will be a lot better then next 5-6 years than Markstrom—even if he deals Markstrom. Bowman doesn't have that problem.

Tallon is a gambler though.
- John Jaeckel

I think it depends on what return markstrom will bring Florida if traded.



JJ, fantastic blog today.

Fla won't trade their goalie of the future. Chances for a decent goalie are becomming slimmer by the day. Markstom would develop with Luongo for the next 3 years.
- VANTEL

That's another possibility. Like Bernier and Quick.