Shock For Everyone – Including Lou

Years back Simon and Garfunkel wrote three songs (“Homeward Bound, Bridge Over Troubled Water and Old Friends) that today seemed to be so fitting for Luongo on the day the best kept secret was the move Mike Gillis made with Florida.

Luongo’s Last Catch!

So Lou’s been a huge part of what some might call an on-again – off-again soap opera for the last two seasons in Vancouver and while he was treated unfair, he was a constant professional.

We had the scenario of him being the number one, them the number two with a no-trade clause, but a constant fan favorite both in Vancouver and on the road.

He held the Ace card and never once did he play this trump card, which he easily could have and most hockey fans are asking how this would have played out for him and the Canucks?

Under Vigneault, he was the starter, then he became the whipping boy and demoted to be the second string “tender” under Cory Schneider, who be all means is still in the infancy of his career.

The window of opportunity for the Canucks is quickly coming to a close and while some simply don’t want to admit this, you have to look at the ages of players involved.

In the off-season he was under the impression he would be moved, then in a shock Schneider was sent packing to the Devils and was touted to be the next number one to replace 41 year-old Martin Brodeur.

Assuming he sent the first text or received the first one from Luongo to offer congratulations or simply say “I wish you well.”

Luongo started this season and played 42 games  or 2418 minutes recording a GAA of 2.38 with a record of 19-16-6-3 and a GA of 96 and a SV% of .917. Stats worthy of a starting “tender” especially in a Heritage Classic game played in your “back yard”.

Luongo changed Agents last season and it seems obvious that he was not pleased with the situation at the Heritage Classic and the manner in which his agent was treated as a second class.

Put Me In?

So while all the talk revolved around a possible move with Ryan Kesler, just after lunch it was officially announced that Luongo was dealt back to the Panthers, the team we acquired him from.

Prior to the start of the 06–07 season then GM of the Panthers Mike Keenan traded him to the Canucks June 23/06.

The deal saw Luongo being packaged with D-man Lukáš Krajíče and a sixth round draft pick which turned out to be Sergei Shirokov.

Heading to the Panthers was power-forward Todd Bertuzzi D-man Bryan Allen as well as the man between the pipes Alex Auld.

Upon completing the deal, the Canucks proceed to sign him to a four-year, $27 million deal with a no-trade clause.

At one point the Canucks went against the rule book and named him as the Captain, more so as to earn the respect of the NHL Officials.

In the off-season Gillis fired Luongo’s goaltending coach Ian Clark and proceeded to hire Roland Melanson, which shocked many in the hockey world.

Despite the change Luongo kept Clark as his personal coach for all of his summer training and then began working with Melanson prior to the 10-11 season.

Melanson made several changes to his (Luongo’s) playing style, which included having him play deeper into his crease instead of skating out to challenge oncoming shooters.

So while everyone was still discussing other possible moves March 4th will go down in Canucks history for moving him back to Florida along with prospect Steven Anthony in exchange for Jacob Markstrom and Shawn Mathias.

In doing so the Canucks will retain part of Luongo’s salary.

Will this be the piece of the puzzle that the Canucks are looking for? Only time will tell!!!!