Monday, February 25, 2013
Dealing Schneider an option for Canucks?
By Luke Lapinski
It's been widely accepted that the Vancouver Canucks are probably going to deal Roberto Luongo at some point this year. In fact, many onlookers expected them to trade him away before the season even began. But, other than yesterday's lopsided loss to Detroit, he's been phenomenal. So much so that the club has been able to utilize both he and Cory Schneider to once again take control of the Northwest Division.
So what do they do now? They committed to Schneider -- both verbally and financially -- as their No. 1 over the summer. And, given Luongo's impressive play (13 goals allowed, 5-0-3 record in nine games before yesterday's outing), they may very well be able to deal him for a pretty good package when the trade deadline gets closer. Or maybe they just keep both and ride two strong goalies into the playoffs. That's not a bad option at all, especially in a shortened, condensed schedule.
Our own Craig Custance presents another option though. What if the Canucks were willing to deal Schneider instead? Sure, there'd be drawbacks. Schneider has immense potential, isn't signed through 2022, is seven years younger than Luongo and costs less as well. But they'd likely get an even heftier haul in return, and they'd still have a proven No. 1 on the roster in Luongo. Depending on which players they received in such a trade, they could be in a better position to win the whole thing right now. It may not be the path Vancouver ultimately chooses, but it's at least something to consider.
Craig Custance
The best chance to win now?"Let's say the Canucks wait until the trade deadline on April 3 to trade Luongo. That gives Schneider just one month to establish himself as the No. 1 goalie for the first time in his NHL career and a short time to prepare for his first trip to the playoffs as the unquestioned starter. He's a talented goalie who could probably handle it just fine but that's only 12 post-deadline Vancouver games in which he gets to prepare for what is expected to be a long playoff run. That's a tough spot to put a young goalie."
