View Full Version : Luongo to the avs?
Bronx33
11-27-2005, 05:12 PM
From Brooks Sunday New York Post Slap Shots Column:
"November 27, 2005 -- NEARLY 10 years after pulling the Dec. 6, 1995 deal with Montreal for unhappy, elite goaltender Patrick Roy that positioned his team to become an NHL power, Colorado GM Pierre Lacroix is closing in on a trade for unhappy, accomplished Florida netminder Roberto Luongo, Slap Shots has been told by a league GM who's been involved with other talks with the Avalanche.
It's unknown just whom the Panthers would receive in return for the 26-year-old Luongo, who hasn't been close to the top of his game in the aftermath of being brought to arbitration by GM Mike Keenan, but we're told that the Panthers have no interest at all in goaltender David Aebischer, whose $1.9M contract the Avalanche have been aggressively shopping around the league without success.
The Panthers, like everyone else in the league, love rookie winger Marek Svatos. He, defenseman John-Michael Liles and freshman goaltender Peter Budaj all are earning the league minimum $450,000, and as such have both talent appeal to Keenan and financial appeal to the cheapo Florida ownership.
According to our source, the Canucks have dropped out of the bidding for Luongo, who is earning $3.2M, and for whom the Avalanche would have to create cap space. "
http://www.nypost.com/sports/58430.htm
Nuggets4
11-27-2005, 05:14 PM
Get it done. I love Svatos and Liles, but you have to do that deal.
Hercules Rockefeller
11-27-2005, 05:19 PM
Lacroix should be arrested for highway robbery if all it takes is Liles, Svatos, and Budaj to make that deal.
Bronx33
11-27-2005, 05:30 PM
Lacroix should be arrested for highway robbery if all it takes is Liles, Svatos, and Budaj to make that deal.
LOL!
Svatos, Liles and Budaj are attractive because they are young, good and cheap. However, I can't see the Avs moving Svatos with Konowalchuk's season ending injury. The Avs would need to move a larger salary player in order to make any such deal with Florida work. The Avs interest in Luongo isn't new. Brooks is just picking up on a rumor that has been around for weeks.
Right now, I just don't think the Avs can afford to move Liles and Svatos, Liles especially. Liles is arguably the Avs best defensemen and the weakness of this team is its defense.
Hercules Rockefeller
11-27-2005, 07:00 PM
Yeah they're young and cheap, however I don't believe any of them project out as superstars, like Luongo currently is. 3 nice players don't equal a superstar, no matter how little they cost. Mike Keenan should be fired if he can't bring back more in a trade for Luongo.
Keep in mind that's just one package that's been thrown around. There have been numerous rumors with different players involved. The salary cap and Luongo's possible trade demands may make it difficult for Keenan to get equal value.
Honestly, the Avs should be looking to acquire a defensive defenseman who can skate. I think that type of player is a bigger need for this club.
SoCalBronco
11-27-2005, 09:08 PM
Interesting.
Perhaps CO's dream will come true.
anthonypacino
11-27-2005, 10:29 PM
I love Luongo! I have wanted him in Denver ever since St. Patty left, but without Forsberg, Knolwchuck (i know i butchered his name) I don't want to lose Savatos, I can deal with Liles leaving since defense isn't the name of the game anymore with the rule changes. I thought the other day I saw Phil Sauve tearing it up in goal somewhere, I thought he had more upside than Abby.
Clockwork Orange
11-27-2005, 10:39 PM
Interesting.
Perhaps CO's dream will come true.
You're not kidding. I've been hoping beyond hope that the Avs would just give up the ghost and rebuild this team.....and Luongo would be the perfect piece to build around.
Swedish Extrovert
11-27-2005, 11:50 PM
ahhh whats wrong with you people? we cant give up svatos... AND liles at the same time - for luongo, i dont care how good he is. we will win better with svatos and liles.
Mtbrncofn
11-28-2005, 05:13 PM
Gosh, I'd hate to lose Svatos and Liles.
Breck Bronc
11-28-2005, 06:15 PM
Gosh, I'd hate to lose Svatos and Liles.I would too, but I'm the guy who was not happy to be losing Martin Rucinsky, Andrei Kovalenko and Jocelyn Thibault in order to get Roy and Keane. I really thought Rucinsky and Kovalenko were going to be very good.
I guess that didn't pan out, not that I cared how they played in Montreal when Roy was bringing Denver its first major pro championship.
Liles and Svatos are certainly better than Rucinsky and Kovalenko. And Roberto is definitely not Patrick Roy (I'm a big Luongo fan and got to watch him a whole bunch when I lived down in MIA, but he's got a long way to go to even be mentioned in the same breath as St. Patrick).
Pendejo
11-29-2005, 04:36 PM
From Spectorshockey.net:
MIAMI HERALD: George Richards reports Florida Panthers GM Mike Keenan dismissed a report in yesterday's New York Post that claimed the Colorado Avalanche were close to acquiring Roberto Luongo. Keenan said he's had no discussions with any team regarding his star goalie. "Someone out there is being irresponsible in spreading rumors about us and about Roberto. Ever since we played in Montreal, these rumors started up. When we're allowed by league rules to begin negotiating a new contract [in January], we will talk then. I am looking forward to that time", said Keenan.
Spector's Note: I believe Keenan when he says that he's not shopping Luongo, but obviously some pundits don't, so expect these rumours to continue.