As the trade deadline approaches, old trade rumors are slowly beginning to creep back into the headlines. Prior to the start of the season, Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo seemed a lock to be traded by the team. After causing the team to crash and burn in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2011, the Canucks looked prepared to move on with Cory Schneider as their permanent starter. Now the rumors are back and the Toronto Maple Leafs are involved in a potential trade for Luongo.
The two teams were in discussions before the season began, but nothing ever came of the talks. Then Luongo appeared to have the hot hand in the goal, leading Vancouver on several win streaks. He and Schneider found a healthy balance that was working for the best for the team. In 15 games played this season, Luongo posted a 7-4-3 record, with a 2.47 goals-against average. Schneider has played 20 games, going 12-5-3 and a 2.13 GAA. They have looked like the same person in most games this season.
However, the Canucks still are not sold on him being with the team long-term and have reached out to Toronoto about putting together a trade. Toronto general manager Dave Nonis has said the team is interested in acquiring a veteran goaltender and Luongo would fit that bill. He has been in the league since 1997 and currently ranks amongst the best in career shutouts with 62.
Luongo comes with a hefty contract which could harm this trade. He currently has a deal that runs through 2022 with an annual $5.33-million cap hit. Very few teams can handle that size of a contract. There are strong options at goalie that will become free agents this offseason. Mike Smith and Jimmy Howard are all set to enter the market and Toronto could go that method.
Luongo understands that nothing regarding potential trades is something that he can control.
"I don't have a best-case scenario. It's something when you don't have things that are under your control, there's no sense worrying about that stuff and letting it creep into your mind and affecting you," Luongo said.
If the two teams are able to work out a deal, it would mean Schneider will officially be named as the starting goalie for Vancouver. He made his sixth-straight start for the team on Thursday. He has backed up Luongo for years and could finally see his time in the spotlight coming. The market for goalies, especially veteran goalies, is not strong. If the Canucks are serious about this trade, they may have to lower their asking price in order to get Toronto to commit.
