Luongo will Waive NTC If Asked To

[vic]

Canucks' Gillis not shopping Luongo around

By Tony Gallagher, The Province June 1, 2012 7:58 AM

It’s been reported in lots of different places that Canucks GM Mike Gillis has been contacting general managers around the league about the possibility of moving the ­veteran goalie without yet having signed Cory Schneider. Not surprisingly, he insists that is absolutely untrue.

“I haven’t contacted anyone with respect to Roberto at all,” said Gillis on Thursday. “I’ve had people call me and ask about him and I’ve told them that we haven’t made any decisions at all about the future of our goaltending. And that’s absolutely the truth.

“We’re going to have our pro scouts in over the next seven to 10 days, have our meetings and then we’ll come out of that with a firm plan on how to move ahead.”

Gillis has had one conversation with Luongo and over the next few days he’ll have another on the phone with the goalie to see if he feels the same way as he did right after the season when they first talked.

“He basically said to me the exact same thing he said to you guys that if it [a trade] was something that would help the team, he’d consider it,” said Gillis.

“But I’d like to get his feelings now that he’s had a little time to think it over.

“There’s no rush here. There’s no need to get into anything too quickly because that’s when you’re likely to make a mistake.

“I was at the GMs meeting this week and you can ask all 29 ­other guys whether I talked to them about ‘we haven’t made any decisions at all about the future of our goaltending. And that’s absolutely the truth. trading a goalie and they’d tell you ‘no’ because it just hasn’t happened.”

Gillis is confident of signing Schneider, which would be the first logical step in any procedure, and there’s plenty of cap space to get that done — at least in the interim period between now and the Sept. 15 expiry of the old Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The team has one, soon (Gillis hopes) to be two goalies signed and then seven defencemen and 10 forwards all under contract in a pretty lean free agent market.

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Canuc ... z1wZ2eoGNI

[wafflecombine]

This isn't directly about Lou but it does potentially impact the goalie market this summer.

Basically its reported that Tim Thomas is considering a sabbatical and not playing in the 2012/13 year. A lot of people seem really confused about this and having a former Vezina and Conn Smythe take a year off, late in his career for no apparrent reason is puzzling. Here is my speculation. This isn't about problems in the locker room or some type of family dynamic. Thomas is a passionate Tea Party supporter and speaks his mind on politics. 2012 is presidential election year along with x percent of the congress and senate. I'm thinking he is either going to campaign for someone... or throw his hat in the ring: Congress??

If Thomas does bow out, that is one less elite level goalie on the market to compete against Lou.

Source: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=633457

According to a report, Boston Bruins starting goalie Tim Thomas may be contemplating taking off the 2012-13 season.

ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reported Thursday night that Thomas was contemplating the idea of a sabbatical for next season.

According to the Boston Globe, who also reported the story, Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli will comment Friday on the situation.

Thomas has one-year left on his current deal. The no-movement clause that is a part of the deal, however, expires July 1. Thomas carries a $5 million cap hit for 2012-13.


Tim Thomas
Goalie - BOS
RECORD: 3-4-2
GAA: 2.14 | SVP: 0.923This latest report continues a strange year for the 38-year-old Thomas, who received criticism for skipping the team's visit to the White House to celebrate the team's 2011 Stanley Cup title. After the team was knocked out of this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs in a seven-game loss to Washington in the first round, the 38-year-old Thomas was non-committal about his future in Boston.

But, this decision, if true, would be even stranger. Thomas is in solid health this offseason, as opposed to last summer when hip surgery slowed his preparation for the season and put him in a position to have to win back the starting job during the 2010-11 season.

Plus, Thomas is coming off another strong campaign. He went 35-19-1 with a 2.36 GAA and a .920 save percentage during the regular season. In the playoffs, he had a 2.14 GAA and a .923 save percentage.

The Bruins also have to worry about Tuukka Rask, their backup goalie who is ready to take on a bigger role. Rask becomes a restricted free agent on July 1, but the Bruins have every intention of re-signing the No. 1 in waiting.

Rask went 11-8-3 with a 2.05 goals-against average and .929 save percentage this season, but did not play again after suffering a lower-body injury on March 3.

[Strangelove]

IF Bobby Lou is traded this summer, the return will be huge.

Supply and demand.

It’s fair to say there will only be one other established starter available (Vokoun) and he’ll probably wait until Lou is traded before choosing one of the now-even-more-desperate teams. Even though Vokoun is coming off a major injury and will be 36 on July 2, some team will throw $5mil+ at him imo. Why? Supply and demand. There wasn’t a big demand last summer so Vokoun had to settle for much less than his usual $5mil+. This summer will be much different.

Having said that, Vokoun is the booby prize for Leaves/Lightning/Jackets/Hawks/Devils-IF-Brodeur-retires (or perhaps he signs with Coilers or Sharks?). A few teams will miss the playoffs due to losing out in the Lou Sweepstakes.

I find it amusing so many Leafers out there are saying “If we don’t get Luongo for cheap, fine we’ll just sign Vokoun!” LOL why would Vokoun sign there?? In this summer’s market he can take his choice of 6 or 7 teams. IF Brodeur retires I think Vokoun would choose New Jersey. If Brodeur does NOT retire I think Vokoun would choose Tampa.

Why the hell would he choose the Leaves??

Anyway.... this summer just happens to be one of the in years to be trading an elite goaltender!

[wafflecombine]

I agree Strange. Whether we trade Lou or Cory (likely Lou), Thomas bowing out (here's hoping) is great for the market return on either.

Fun times.

[dbr]

According to an AP article posted about 40 minutes ago...

Chiarelli says Thomas is “worn out” and thinking of skipping the next season. The GM says the team is proceeding as if the two-time Vezina Trophy winner will not be available next year.

Luongo to Boston?

[Eddy Punch Clock]

According to an AP article posted about 40 minutes ago...

Chiarelli says Thomas is “worn out” and thinking of skipping the next season. The GM says the team is proceeding as if the two-time Vezina Trophy winner will not be available next year.

Luongo to Boston?

Well... McLean went to the Rangers.

[SKYO]

According to an AP article posted about 40 minutes ago...

Chiarelli says Thomas is “worn out” and thinking of skipping the next season. The GM says the team is proceeding as if the two-time Vezina Trophy winner will not be available next year.

@DarrenDreger
To absorb the cap hit in the event of a Thomas no-show, Bruins could put Savard's money on LTI to help offset.
Bruins will likely suspend Thomas if he doesn't report to camp, but receive no cap relief. Could toll year, but more likely let deal expire.

I like what johnnycanuck said

When faced with the idea of getting traded: Luongo: "I'll do what's best for the team."; Thomas: "Take a year off and fuck my team over."

[Mondi]

FWIW,

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/blog/eye-o ... maple-leaf

...yeah RIGHT!

[SKYO]

FWIW,

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/blog/eye-o ... maple-leaf

...yeah RIGHT!

Yeah never know! where's hw??

If Luongo makes it to the Leafs, I guarantee they will be in the playoffs next season!

[Strangelove]

18 years old?

Someone at HF said Aquilini's are involved with St. George's School and suggested samjam is pals with one of their kids.

[Reefer2]

What about Luo and our first to Edmonton for their first overall?

Not enough for a 1st that still has not proven himself or any of the top 3 a Crosy/Malkin in the making?

PS - before you roast me I am just asking so be gentle.

[Fred]

18 years old?

Someone at HF said Aquilini's are involved with St. George's School and suggested samjam is pals with one of their kids.

How the Hell did you find this guy ??

[Farhan Lalji]

What about Luo and our first to Edmonton for their first overall?

Not enough for a 1st that still has not proven himself or any of the top 3 a Crosy/Malkin in the making?

PS - before you roast me I am just asking so be gentle.

Interesting idea but I can't see Edmonton going for it.

If the rumors are true, Luongo has a desire to head back East if he's not in a Vancouver uniform.

[okcanuck]

What about Luo and our first to Edmonton for their first overall?

Not enough for a 1st that still has not proven himself or any of the top 3 a Crosy/Malkin in the making?

PS - before you roast me I am just asking so be gentle.

Interesting idea but I can't see Edmonton going for it.

If the rumors are true, Luongo has a desire to head back East if he's not in a Vancouver uniform.

Luongo would never go to Edmonton. He still holds all the cards.

[ESQ]

What about Luo and our first to Edmonton for their first overall?

Not enough for a 1st that still has not proven himself or any of the top 3 a Crosy/Malkin in the making?

PS - before you roast me I am just asking so be gentle.

Interesting idea but I can't see Edmonton going for it.

If the rumors are true, Luongo has a desire to head back East if he's not in a Vancouver uniform.

Luongo would never go to Edmonton. He still holds all the cards.

I can't see Luongo choosing to go to Toronto either...

My gut says this Toronto rumour is posturing, much like Yzerman's goalie comments last week. I still believe the family problem is operative for Luongo and Toronto doesn't help that at all (not to mention its the worst franchise in the NHL).