- Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Teams looking for a goalie upgrade are getting smaller by the day, likely only the Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets, unless Ondrej Pavelec leaves the Jets for the KHL. The Blue Jackets likely aren’t interested in Luongo. Gillis likely wouldn’t want to trade Luongo to rival Chicago, if they are even looking for a goalie upgrade. The Panthers have Jose Theodore and prospect Jacob Markstrom and may not want to pay all that cash for him. The Leafs are interested, but not interested sending quality players or prospects. Just like they are not interested in shipping Luke Schenn or Jake Gardiner to the Oilers for the top pick in the draft. The Leafs don’t have many options left, and there aren’t many options for the Canucks either. The Leafs could give up a prospect for Luongo, and the prospect could get better if they take a contract like Mike Komisarek.
- David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: After the Wild re-signed Josh Harding, Canucks GM Mike Gillis is now holding the best veteran goalie in Roberto Luongo. Luongo is 33 and has 10 years left at a $5.33 million cap hit. Someone will likely send the Canucks a contract and a decent prospect. The Panthers may be happy with their tandem of Theodore and Markstrom. Pavelec is a RFA in Winnipeg and it may not work out there. The Capitals could be intrigued even though they have Michal Neuvirth and Braden Holtby. If the Leafs strike out on Luongo, they could take a run at Martin Brodeur, but it’s unlikely Burke would poach Brodeur from his mentor Lou Lamoriello.
- Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks GM Mike Gillis confirms he’s talking to teams about Roberto Luongo.
“There are lots of teams interested,” Gillis said. “There’s a limited number of proven No. 1 goaltenders in the world. Roberto is, without a doubt, a proven No. 1 all-star goalie.”
Gillis insists there is no urgency to move Luongo and is fine if he has to run with Luongo and Cory Schneider next season. Neither goalie would be too thrilled about that notion though. They would likely be paying $10 million to 2 #1 one goalies.
“We’re still in the position to explore all of our options … and I’m doing that without a timeline,” Gillis said. “I have no timetable at all. In some ways, I feel the draft in situations like this is an artificial timeline.”
The Canucks would like to get Schneider under contract before they deal Luongo, but Schneider may not want to rush in to a deal until he knows what is happening with Luongo. There is a window from July 1st to 5th where teams can send Schneider an offer sheet.
“I know there’s a market, for sure,” Gillis said. “His cap hit is $5.3 million. Marty Brodeur just got to the final . Goaltenders are a different animal when it comes to contract evaluation. If they’re smart enough and technically sound enough, they can play for a long, long time.
“Roberto has impressed me from the moment I met him. Regardless of how well he plays, there’s this notion that no matter how good it is, it isn’t good enough. And it’s baffling to me because I think the guy is just an outstanding player who’s an outstanding person.”
