Defensively...I think Luongo has covered up MANY of their issues. When he got to Vancouver; they made the playoffs. If/when Vancouver trades him, I think they're going to realize just how good he was and how they took it for granted.

I say this knowing full well Schenider is "supposed" to be good and could turn out as a solid #1. He sure looks to be right now.

But yes, his contract term and NTC is a big mistake. But I wouldn't put it past Burke to do it...he's ready to force himself into the playoffs it seems.
- Juice

The Leafs would have a better record of drafting and developing goalies if they gave it a try for once rather than cutting corners and signing the next veteran that crosses their path.
- Unholy_Goalie

Pogge,Scrivens, Riemer,The Monster..........They have drafted goalies, they just don't end up any good, other than that fellow in Boston who would still be a Leaf if he wasn't an all Canadan boy like Pogge

Defensively...I think Luongo has covered up MANY of their issues. When he got to Vancouver; they made the playoffs. If/when Vancouver trades him, I think they're going to realize just how good he was and how they took it for granted.
- Juice

When he got there and where they are now are two different stories. That team can handle themselves without Luongo. In fact, they're a better team without him.

To say Luongo would improve the Leafs is true but at this point, he's holding the Canucks back more than he is helping them. They just don't believe in him anymore.

- ThePresident

It's no coincidence that when Belfour's back got messed up and he had a weak season, the leafs missed the playoffs...having an average or less than average goalie relevaed how not good they were.

Pogge,Scrivens, Riemer,The Monster..........They have drafted goalies, they just don't end up any good, other than that fellow in Boston who would still be a Leaf if he wasn't an all Canadan boy like Pogge
- stoned

It's convenient to make arguments when you can exclude goalies from the list.

Your argument doesn't make any sense. You do know that the Canucks have won the Presidents trophy two years in a row right? So if you're saying it's the team and not the goalie, then guess what, Luongo is at the top of that list.
- Unholy_Goalie

Overall, the Kings and the Boston Bruins are better teams, it makes plenty of sense. A team winning the President's trophy, yes it indicates they have the best record, but it doesn't indicate they have a better team then the rest of the league, player wise, just as the Rangers are top in the East, only because of Lundqvist. Luongo is a big reason the Canucks won the President Trophy, however the rest of the team leaves alot to be desired, and this will be noticed once he is gone.

Not if they have a guy who has the net for the next 10 years. Nor can they do it if they trade assets just to acquire him.
- Unholy_Goalie

Well really its 6-7 yrs ...draft a guy this year and he'll take that long to be ready anyway.

It's convenient to make arguments when you can exclude goalies from the list.
- Unholy_Goalie

I excluded Rask? nope,I always felt he was miles ahead of Pogge.Pogge was an illusion.He played behind a monster team in jr.If Rask was Canadian he would still be a Leaf, but the Leafs wanted the ALL CANADIAN BOY instead

When he got there and where they are now are two different stories. That team can handle themselves without Luongo. In fact, they're a better team without him.

To say Luongo would improve the Leafs is true but at this point, he's holding the Canucks back more than he is helping them. They just don't believe in him anymore.
- Unholy_Goalie

They rely on Luongo too much, and play more relaxed thinking he's there huge insurance policy at this point, its the complete opposite for Schneider, they tighten up there game knowing a 27 year old "rookie" that has never played more then 35 games in a season is backstopping them.

When he got there and where they are now are two different stories. That team can handle themselves without Luongo. In fact, they're a better team without him.

To say Luongo would improve the Leafs is true but at this point, he's holding the Canucks back more than he is helping them. They just don't believe in him anymore.
- Unholy_Goalie

I totally get how people are coming to this conclusion, but he's also the reason they made it past the 2nd round last year. People are looking for reasons to play Schneider, Luongo is getting every save or goal disected and every loss blown up by the media...people don't like his contract (understandable) and they don't like his attitude.

Don't get me wrong, if forced to choose yes or no...I say no to having him on the leafs. But I don't think he's nearly as weak as people are hanging him up to be.

Overall, the Kings and the Boston Bruins are better teams, it makes plenty of sense. A team winning the President's trophy, yes it indicates they have the best record, but it doesn't indicate they have a better team then the rest of the league, player wise, just as the Rangers are top in the East, only because of Lundqvist. Luongo is a big reason the Canucks won the President Trophy, however the rest of the team leaves alot to be desired, and this will be noticed once he is gone.
- ThePresident

This

Pogge,Scrivens, Riemer,The Monster..........They have drafted goalies, they just don't end up any good, other than that fellow in Boston who would still be a Leaf if he wasn't an all Canadan boy like Pogge
- stoned

You could argue they just haven't done it properly either. IMHO, a great young goalie should be breaking into the backup role at 21-24 then increasing their role so they're ready to take over at 25-27. Too often good young goalies are getting thrown in too soon.

Overall, the Kings and the Boston Bruins are better teams, it makes plenty of sense. A team winning the President's trophy, yes it indicates they have the best record, but it doesn't indicate they have a better team then the rest of the league, player wise, just as the Rangers are top in the East, only because of Lundqvist. Luongo is a big reason the Canucks won the President Trophy, however the rest of the team leaves alot to be desired, and this will be noticed once he is gone.
- ThePresident

The reason why they hand out the President's trophy is to award the best team in the league. To say that all the other goalies have better teams than Luongo is ridiculous. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

You could argue they just haven't done it properly either. IMHO, a great young goalie should be breaking into the backup role at 21-24 then increasing their role so they're ready to take over at 25-27. Too often good young goalies are getting thrown in too soon.
- The Law

True, but most teams only get lucky drafting a solid future 1st stringer once a decade or so.We had one in Rask, but blew it

Well really its 6-7 yrs ...draft a guy this year and he'll take that long to be ready anyway.
- The Law

What if they find a guy who is ready to take the net in 3 years? Then you have a 5.3 million dollar back-up signed for 10 years.

Not to mention, the Leafs really need more tanking than they need 7th or 8th place.

The reason why they hand out the President's trophy is to award the best team in the league. To say that all the other goalies have better teams than Luongo is ridiculous. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
- Unholy_Goalie

Do you think the Rangers are the best team in the East, player wise? Or do you think Lundqvist got them there?

I totally get how people are coming to this conclusion, but he's also the reason they made it past the 2nd round last year. People are looking for reasons to play Schneider, Luongo is getting every save or goal disected and every loss blown up by the media...people don't like his contract (understandable) and they don't like his attitude.

Don't get me wrong, if forced to choose yes or no...I say no to having him on the leafs. But I don't think he's nearly as weak as people are hanging him up to be.
- Juice

He's not as weak as people think he is but he's not a playoff performer and his numbers aren't that of a top 5 or even a 10 goalie anymore. And that's while playing for a power house team.

He'd improve the Leafs, no doubt, but he's lost it in Vancouver.

Do you think the Rangers are the best team in the East, player wise? Or do you think Lundqvist got them there?
- ThePresident

The Rangers, last year, were an 8th place team with Lundqvist. Years prior, they missed the playoffs. They added Brad Richards and their young players improved. Now they're in 1st place.

What if they find a guy who is ready to take the net in 3 years? Then you have a 5.3 million dollar back-up signed for 10 years.

Not to mention, the Leafs really need more tanking than they need 7th or 8th place.
- Unholy_Goalie

If that happened, I really don't think Luongo qualifies as an unmovable player, it's not like we're talking about Scott Gomez here.

The Rangers, last year, were an 8th place team with Lundqvist. Years prior, they missed the playoffs. They added Brad Richards and their young players improved. Now they're in 1st place.
- Unholy_Goalie

The Rangers made the playoffs last year and are in first this year because of Lundqvist. Not even disputable.

He's not as weak as people think he is but he's not a playoff performer and his numbers aren't that of a top 5 or even a 10 goalie anymore. And that's while playing for a power house team.

He'd improve the Leafs, no doubt, but he's lost it in Vancouver.
- Unholy_Goalie

He's not a big game performer period.Canada won the gold in spite of him, not because of him.

He's not as weak as people think he is but he's not a playoff performer and his numbers aren't that of a top 5 or even a 10 goalie anymore. And that's while playing for a power house team.

He'd improve the Leafs, no doubt, but he's lost it in Vancouver.
- Unholy_Goalie

How has he lost it, look at his save percentage over the last few years, playing on such a powerhouse his save percentage would be .900 to .910, but he's consistently knocking it out of the park in that arena. When a goalie's save percentage is consistently high, he's working for it, they are not a power house, he's the one carrying them, not the other way around.

If that happened, I really don't think Luongo qualifies as an unmovable player, it's not like we're talking about Scott Gomez here.
- ThePresident

Really? Because that's exactly what the Habs said when they got Gomez.

Really? Because that's exactly what the Habs said when they got Gomez.
- Unholy_Goalie[

Don't think anyone was thinking that.

The Rangers made the playoffs last year and are in first this year because of Lundqvist. Not even disputable.
- ThePresident

What does this have to do with Luongo? Lundqvist has the numbers to make that argument. Luongo doesn't. Luongo doesn't even have top 10 numbers anymore. In fact, his back-up, out performed him this year. You want to make the argument that the Canucks are President trophy winners because of Luongo? I could say the same about Schneider. Without Schneider, they can't do it either. Point is, Luongo has lost it in Vancouver and overall, his numbers aren't where they use to be.