MarlinsMS_35 Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 TSN- The Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers have completed a multi-player trade involving some big names on the eve of the NHL Draft. The Panthers have confirmed that they acquired Todd Bertuzzi, Bryan Allen and Alexander Auld from the Canucks in exchange for Roberto Luongo and Lukas Krajicek and a 2006 sixth round pick. Luongo is a restricted free agent, and the Panthers had been unable to work out a long-term deal with the star netminder. The Miami Herald reported on Tuesday that Panthers general manager Mike Keenan said that the team would explore all options when it came to Luongo. On Friday night, Keenan pulled the trigger on a mega-deal with the Canucks. "This is a trade that addresses a number of needs for our hockey club," Keenan said. "We’ve added an experienced and talented forward, a skilled goaltender and a strong defenceman that we expect to help our team immediately." Following his suspension for attacking Colorado's Steve Moore near the end of the 2004 regular season, Bertuzzi had 25 goals and 71 points last season. That was a significant drop from his best season in 2002-2003, when he scored 46 goals and 51 assists. With the Moore incident still resonating, Bertuzzi took a lot of heat in Vancouver last season as the team failed to make the playoffs. Before news of the deal broke, Canucks GM Dave Nonis made no bones about the fact that he was shopping his assests, including the 31-year-old Bertuzzi. "He's in the same spot as everyone else, but the media loves to focus on one player," said Nonis of Bertuzzi. "We have a group of players that as a group underachieved which means the majority of those players are available." The Canucks are hoping that Luongo, 27, is the answer to their goaltending concerns. He had a 2.97 goals-against average and .914 save percentage last season and has emerged as one of Canada's future stars in international play. Still, the Panthers finished 11th in the Eastern Conference last season and never made the playoffs during Luongo's five seasons with the team. The problem of signing him to a long-term deal now rests with Nonis. Krajicek, 23, has star potential, too. The former first rounder had 2 goals and 16 points in 67 games last season, but his smooth skating and play-making ability suggest bigger numbers could be on the way. "We believe that in Roberto we are getting a player who has represented his country at the highest level, has been nominated for the Vezina Trophy and has proven that he is among the elite goaltenders in the world," said Nonis. "Lukas is a young, skilled, puck-moving defenceman who has a very bright future in this League." Auld, 25, played well in place of injured starter Dan Cloutier last season, but the Canucks obviously felt he was not the answer. As of now, he will be battling Jamie McLennan for the number one job in Florida. That represents a big drop-off for the Panthers, unless they find another goaltender in free agency starting July 1. Allen, 25, is another former first rounder, though he has not quite lived up to the potential that made him the fourth overall pick in 1998. At 6-4 and 220 pounds, he has size and strength, but does not have the offensive upside of a potential powerplay quarterback like Krajicek. Still, Allen contributed 7 goals and 17 points in 77 games last season and was also a +4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillipsg1322 Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Good pick up for Vacouver. He's much better than Cloutier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYM Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Luongo is a good goalie. He's nothing compared to Lundquist though. He reminds me so much of Richter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totte Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Luongo is a good goalie. He's nothing compared to Lundquist though. He reminds me so much of Richter. Having watched Lundqvist play for Frölunda here in Gothenburg since he was 16 years old, I couldn't agree more :wtg: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nanner Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Well, it appears you Americans don't know your hockey, no offense. Lundqvist was absolutely solid in his rookie year, no doubt, but he's not even close to Luongo, that is a ridiculous comment. Not to mention the amount of goalies who come up hot, and drop like flies sooner or later. Like every hockey anylist says all around the game, hockey is full of very good goalies these days. Goalies like Vokoun, Roloson, Ward and Miller. But there is only 3 elite goalies in the league, in the world for that matter. Goalies that regardless of the team around them, and the pressure they face, are consistent year after year. Those 3 are Martin Brodeur, Miika Kiprusoff and of course, Luongo. Put him around a team that can play defense, and he is unstoppable (Team Canada). By the way, what I just said there was pretty much exactly what Don Cherry said. I'm pretty sure you guys know who he is. If you don't, then you don't know enough hockey to criticize one of it's best players. Luongo is arguably the best goalie in the league, end of story. And he's been putting up insane numbers on a downright horrible team (Let's face it, the Panthers without him last year would of been dead last by a huge margin). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nanner Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Sorry if that came off mean guys. Didn't mean it like that. It's just innacurate to compare a rookie to an absolute superstar goalie like Luongo, who has to stop 50 shots a night because of the team he plays for, and does an admirable job might I add. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totte Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Those 3 are Martin Brodeur, Miika Kiprusoff and of course, Luongo. Put him around a team that can play defense, and he is unstoppable (Team Canada). It's just innacurate to compare a rookie to an absolute superstar goalie like Luongo, who has to stop 50 shots a night because of the team he plays for, and does an admirable job might I add. I'm surprised Team Canada didn't win the Olympics then since they had both Brodeur AND Luongo on the team. Keep in mind that Lundqvist was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. * The first rookie voted a Vezina Trophy finalist since Washington's Jim Carey in 1994-95. * Posted a 30-12-9 record, 2.24 goals-against average and .922 save percentage in 53 games; became the first goaltender in franchise history to record 30 victories as a rookie. * Ranked fourth among NHL goaltenders in save percentage, was fifth in goals-against average. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nanner Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Do me a favor while your on the subject of stats. Look at saves made. Look at the quality of the team and defense around the goalie and check out why Canada failed in the Olympics. Not to mention Brodeur starts over Luongo because of seniority. Brodeur just plain rocks, but he started off slowly this year. Like I said, Lundqvist was absolutely solid, and came out of nowhere to put up one heck of a rookie season, but it's about 2 years too early to compare him to one of, if not the best goalie in the world. Lundqvist never had to try and stop 50 shots a night, every night. Luongo's been doing it for a few years now. And still the Panthers can't win games for him. Put that kind of pressure on Lundqvist and see what happens. Nothing against him, but give me a break, seriously. This shouldn't even be an argument, just listen to any anylist in the game. They'll tell it like it is everytime, Luongo deals with absolute failure and loss from the team around him, including having to stop 50+ shots a night, yet still remains elite. Most goalies' self confidence, which is huge in hockey, would be crushed easily. -By the way, the time Luongo started for Canada consecutively, was at th World Championships in 2003, which Canada won against Finland ending aa 7 year drought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nanner Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 For the sake of stats: Luongo had 60 minutes less Ice time than Brodeur, a goalie known to be unquestionably the best in the world by millions of spectators. In that time Luongo had 383 more shots on net than Brodeur, who also plays on a team with weaker defense since the loss of Stevens and Niedermayer. And saved 347 more than Marty. Luongo finished 35-30-9 on a horrible team, putting up 4 Shutouts in games he had to stop more than 30 shots in each, not to mention a couple of 45+ shot games. That's ridiculous. Yet he plays for a hockey team in Florida and gets 0 attention because he's having to face this kind of pressure with a horrible defense. Reminds me of Rogers Clemens getting only 12 wins with that kind of ERA and season. Let's not forget this isn't the 1st year Luongo's put up with this and did that well. Lundqvist has played 53 NHL games. That's 22 less games than Luongo just this season. You're way too early on even making an argument on who's better, especially against one of the best. Luongo's also probably going to get even better considering his age and now going to play for a contending team. Too bad Jovanovski's probably not coming back though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totte Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Luongo's also probably going to get even better considering his age and now going to play for a contending team. Definitely! He'll probably rack up 35 wins next year Too bad Jovanovski's probably not coming back though.Yeah, you hate to lose talent like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarlinsMS_35 Posted June 24, 2006 Author Share Posted June 24, 2006 I din't want to see Luongo leave, but tthe Panthers have been trying since the all-star break to get a deal done with his contract. Bertuzzi is a flat out beast though, allen is progressing nicely, and Auld was origionaly drafted by Florida. But Auld will never be as good as Luonog. The Panthers had trouble scoring goals last year, this fixes that, but the have an above average goalie. Defense with Bowmeester, Allen, and Hill is solid. I think the Panthers actually got the better end of it. It's sad to see Luongo leave. He was my favorite player, and I won't het to see him play much anymore. But I can see Bertuzzi alot now, and he is amazing to watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred13 Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 what I just said there was pretty much exactly what Don Cherry said. I'm pretty sure you guys know who he is. If you don't, then you don't know enough hockey to criticize one of it's best players. Anyone who knows anything about hockey knows that Don Cherry is the biggest racist when it comes to European Hockey players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totte Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Anyone who knows anything about hockey knows that Don Cherry is the biggest racist when it comes to European Hockey players. :wtg: :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nanner Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Agreed, but that has nothing to do with Cherry knowing talent, and are you telling me fred13, that Luongo isn't one of the elite, and possibly the best goalie in the NHL? BTW, Kennyess, if Florida's defense gives up about 50 shots a game, they have some issues haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluenotebacker Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Well, I'm glad at least to see that neamderthal, Bertuzzi, leave the West. Too bad he's even playing hockey at all. Bummer for the rest of teh West that Luongo will now be in Vancouver, he's a dominant goaltender and will be a big boost to the 'Nucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJEagles Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Fact of the matter is Luongo is a great goaltender...but now let's see how he does under the pressure of the fans and media in Vancouver. As for Lundqvist, he performed amazingly for a team that has the New York fans on their back! Mark my words, in two years time, Lundqvist WILL BE one of the top three goalies in the league... ...and to throw out another comment, I firmly believe Cam Ward to be a flash in the pan... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred13 Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Too bad he's even playing hockey at all. I couldn't disagree with you more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluenotebacker Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 I couldn't disagree with you more. I'm happy to agree to disagree, but I'd be interested in know why you're glad he's back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred13 Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 He's a good player. It wasn't all his fault for what happened to Moore. After Bertuzzi punched him, the other four on the ice all juped on him with Moore at the bottom of the pile. The damage woudnt have been as severe if that hadnt happened. Also, Moore had it somewhat coming to him. He had been taunting the canucks players since the previous time the 2 teams met. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarlinsMS_35 Posted June 25, 2006 Author Share Posted June 25, 2006 Agreed, but that has nothing to do with Cherry knowing talent, and are you telling me fred13, that Luongo isn't one of the elite, and possibly the best goalie in the NHL? BTW, Kennyess, if Florida's defense gives up about 50 shots a game, they have some issues haha. Most of the shots given up, aren't very good ones, I've seen alot of easy saves last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nanner Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 Funny, cuz here in Canada, where there is hockey 24/7 on TV, it's almost ridiculous, Luongo's on the highlights everynight making insane stops, one after another, and on occasion putting up 40-50 shot shutouts. Something no other goalie does besides Miika. Kennyess, I guarantee you're going to realize what you've lost very quickly in Miami dude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarlinsMS_35 Posted June 25, 2006 Author Share Posted June 25, 2006 Funny, cuz here in Canada, where there is hockey 24/7 on TV, it's almost ridiculous, Luongo's on the highlights everynight making insane stops, one after another, and on occasion putting up 40-50 shot shutouts. Something no other goalie does besides Miika. Kennyess, I guarantee you're going to realize what you've lost very quickly in Miami dude. I know that we've lost alot, it weas painful to see him go, but I think that in this trade for the Panthers the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. Luongo does maje some amazing stops, no doubt about it, but there are alot of easy stops too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotman69 Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 I don't know if Florida fans know this, but it was Keenan who was involved in Bertuzzi going to Vancouver from NYI (Keenan was coach, but there was a void in upper management with the firing of Patt Quinn at the time). It was Keenan who lit a fire under Bertuzzi's butt and that's when Bertuzzi's career took off. I just think Bertuzzi needed a change of scenery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarlinsMS_35 Posted June 26, 2006 Author Share Posted June 26, 2006 Well, all I care about is that Auld is more than good enough goalie to get us by, Bertuzzi is a beast on ice, I don't know much about Allen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty2hotty Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 First of all, there is no way that florida will make the playoffs with auld in net. He isnt that good. Im sad to see allen go, and as for bertuzzi, even after the whole moore thing, i was still a big fan of his, but as the season progressed he pissed me off more and more. Luongo is an amazing goaltender and something that vancouver needed. And a person from florida trying to take down a canadian in hockey talk...hahaha...nice try. and lundqvist, yah hes pretty good, but not as good as Luongo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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