What The Heck Happened?!

No, seriously...can one of you please tell me what just happened?

First of all, I should preface this article by mentioning a few changes in my personal life, if you will indulge me. A few weeks ago, in the midst of the Stanley Cup Final, my girlfriend came home from work and announced that we were moving. The next two weeks were full of back-breaking labor, packing, cleaning...and worst of all I had no internet. I didn't get to see game six, with Chicago captain Jonathan Toews lifting the Cup a second time, I missed the buyout period, the draft, free agency. So today, when I'm finally able to get back online, I'm hit with a huge shockwave of news.

The NHL hasn't seen this much player movement and activity since the last lockout in 2005. But some of the moves were absolutely stunning. 


First and foremost, to me, is the end of the Roberto Luongo saga in Vancouver. Or should I say the continuation? In a move that was completely likely two years ago, but completely shocking now, Canucks general manager Mike Gillis sent starter Cory Schneider to New Jersey for a first round pick. Not to get too full of myself here, but I was predicting this exact trade to happen in the summer of 2011, and I was definitely not expecting it to happen last week. 

Many people have scoffed at the return of only a first round pick for the budding superstar netminder, but it should be noted that the Canucks have not picked as high as 9th in fourteen years, thanks to sustained success. It's also worth mentioning that the Canucks haven't had two picks in the first round since that same 1999 draft, when the picked Daniel and Henrik Sedin 2nd and 3rd overall. If Gillis' stated modus operandi this offseason was to get younger and solve the Luongo dilemma, he certainly seems to have done so in one fell swoop. Sure, the Canucks could, and likely should, have gotten more for Schneider. But their first round picks this year, Bo Horvat, a brilliant two way center, and Hunter Shinkaruk, a dangerous offensive weapon on the wing, have given the Canucks more depth of prospects than they've had for years.

However, the question remains: did Gillis actually solve the Luongo situation, or merely delay it? Prior to the trade, Luongo had gone on record to say he had "mentally divorced" himself from the team. How then can he suddenly adapt to the situation as it unfolded and return to the crease in Vancouver next year? It helps that Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini met personally with Luongo in Florida to tell him about the Schneider trade before it was officially announced. One can also assume that Gillis was in conversation with Luongo and that both men now know where they stand. We know where Gillis stands in all this, he wants Roberto to be his number one goalie next season. But, as of today, we have yet to hear anything official from Luongo about his feelings towards the organization, and what his plans are moving forward. Most importantly, does he intend to uphold his request for a trade?

If I'm a betting man, I would say Luongo will be wearing the orca next year. As much as this has been a trial and tribulation for him, Luongo loves Vancouver and his teammates. There's also been a change of scenery in the dressing room, as new coach John Tortorella may provide an incentive for him to stay. The only reason he wanted out was because Luongo is a workhorse who loves to play tons of minutes and be "the guy" for an organization. He wasn't able to with Schneider in the mix, but the crease is completely his to own now.

If he wants it.


Thanks for reading everybody. Seeing as how I have the internet again, I'll try to get back to regular posting. I know it's the offseason, but I want to get as much news and opinion out as often as I can. Also, I'll be reducing the morning snapshots to a weekly snapshots, to keep you all up to date on what's going on around the world of hockey. And make sure to check back later in the summer for 2013-14 season previews for all 30 NHL teams.