Madcombinepilot wrote:no offense, I think you are part of the probltm, as opposed to offering a solution.
this typical 'gut reaction' is whats leads to the 'knee jerk' reaction taken by lots of fairweather fans, and most media.
Hey MC,
Don't get me wrong man. I am a huge Luongo fan. I think I even told you this last June. Even in this thread, I conceded the fact that Luongo will have many brilliant games come playoff time. Unfortunately however, the media in this city tend to focus on the negatives far more than the positives. All I was arguing was that when Luongo inevitably has a been game in the post-season (this isn't a knock on Lou by the way, ALL goalies have atleast 1-2 stinkers in the post-season), the 'frenzy' surrounding Luongo's bad game will be blown much further out of propotion....by
-The Media (ours and opponents)
-The fans (ours and opponents)
-Even our team (i.e. overcommitting on defense.....as they started doing against Chicago and Boston.....which may help explain, atleast to some degree, as to why our offense went very dry after blow out losses).
Luongo could follow up a bad game with another rock solid 31 save 1-0 win... again. that was the most pressure that anyone has ever faced, and it will NEVER be more than that again.
You are preaching to the choir man. I agree with you. Having said that - we must also not forget the fact that he followed up his brilliant Game 5 victory with one of the WORST performances of all-time in Game 6. That last minute goal during the Olympics, along with the near last minute goal he gave against Chicago in Game 7, also raises question marks unfortunately.
Long story short - even one bad game on Luongo's part could create a VERY toxic environment of epic proportions. I do not think I am even exaagerating. If we keep Schneider however, problem solved. If Lou struggles, we put in Schneider the next game.
Not sure how many times Lu has to prove he can handle big games. People need to wake the hell up and realize that this teams best chance to win lay with Luongo. Even if all you speculators wanted to trade him, YOU CANT -- that whole no trade clause thingy that everyone seems to convienenlty forgets.. all talking about trading him does is add to the fervor, and make him feel unwanted. singling out your goaltender is a SURE way to lose, just look at our own history to prove it.
Again - I have absolutely nothing against Lou. I love the guy. I have a soft spot for him. All I am thinking is what might be in the teams' best interests. Of course Lou has proven that he can handle big games. However - he has also proven that he can self destruct, big time, in big games as well. With the exception of 2010, Luongo has always been brilliant for us in the regular season. You can't deny however that he's had some very inconsistent performances in the playoffs. So - as much as I love Lou, a lot of the criticism that has been directed his way is with good reason as well.
And as to the theory that he would go if you ask him, well heck, does anyone think that he is so stupid as to WANT to be traded of a contender??
Can you name me a team that traded its #1 goalie, leader in the dressingroom, and former captain, MID SEASON and still won a cup??? Trading Lu this year is a guaranteed way to have us not win again.
Speculation is fine, but this is way past that. there is not a goalie out there that gives us a better chance to win right now.
If it was up to me, I would keep BOTH Luongo and Schneider here for this season. Hopefully, I made that clear earlier. All I am saying is that *IF* Gillis is hell bent on trading one of their goalies for help elsewhere, then they should trade Lou instead.
In my perfect scenario, the Canucks keep both goalies. If Lou shows signs of struggle in the playoffs, put Schneider in. If Schneider struggles, go with Lou. Period. I would keep this arrangement similar to what the Wings did with Osgood/Vernon in 97' (i.e. going with the goalie that is hot and riding him until he shows signs of struggle).