Sully2Cool Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 GM Gillis lauds recent play of Chicago Wolves netminder in playoffs against San Antonio Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Eddie+Lack+could+back+Canucks+starting+goalie/6529272/story.html#ixzz1tIcO3YQa Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis will watch with intrigue the progression of minor league goaltender Eddie Lack in the coming day and months. Speaking on Team 1040 radio Thursday morning, Gillis lauded Lack's recent work less than a day after the Chicago Wolves netminder recorded the second of back-to-back wins this week for the Canucks' farm team, which forced a fifth and deciding game in its best-of-five AHL Western Conference quarter-final with the San Antonio Rampage. "He's definitely going to be a National Hockey League goal-tender at some point; he's that good," Gillis told the radio station. "Just not sure if he'll be absolutely ready and we may not know until next September if he's completely ready." The Wolves trailed 2-0 in the series, but staved off elimination with a pair of wins on home ice, and Lack's recent play is a big reason why. The 24-year-old from Nor-rtalje, Sweden, was sensational in a 3-1 Game 4 win against the Rampage, stopping all but one of the 31 shots fired his way, including 15 saves in the first period alone. He's now allowed just three goals on the last 51 shots faced. The Wolves had all of just 15 shots on goal Wednesday, but found a way to extend the series. Steve Reinprecht scored twice, and Tim Miller iced the win with an empty-net goal late in the third period. "It was just one of those nights that I needed to step my game up a little bit," said Lack in a phone interview. "I really felt like the boys needed me [Wednesday]. They've been so good to me this whole year, they've scored timely goals for me, so I just wanted to give that back to them." Home ice advantage has been the dominant factor in this series. The Wolves lost games 1 and 2 in San Antonio, but have won two of the three games so far in Chicago. "It's just 50/50 right now as to who is going to win it," said Lack. "We are the better team when we play like we want and in a huge game like [Friday], I think everyone is going to step it up and everyone's going to have a good game." Depending on what changes Gillis decides to make at the goaltending position this summer - it's believed the GM will move either Roberto Luongo, who said earlier this week after the Canucks were eliminated from the playoffs that he'd be willing to waive his no-trade clause, or Cory Schneider - Lack could potentially land the backup position when training camp concludes in the fall. "Eddie's very close," Gillis said. "He's a very good goalie, he's big, he's got great skill. We're going to watch him closely in the playoffs here with Chicago." The Canucks brass may only have one more opportunity to see Lack before September. Game 5 of the series goes Fri-day (5: 30 p.m. PDT) at the All-state Arena in Chicago. It's a safe bet the Abbots-ford Heat are keeping an eye on what happens between the Wolves and Rampage. The Heat, who eliminated the Milwaukee Admirals with a 4-2 win Wednesday to cap off the franchise's first ever post-sea-son sweep, will play either the Oklahoma City Barons or Toronto Marlies in the second round. If Chicago wins and advances to the next round, the Heat will play Oklahoma City, the top team in the conference during the regular season. A San Antonio win, and the Heat play the No. 2-seeded Marlies. "Whoever we play next, we'll be ready for them and I heard Chicago - is going to Game 5 so that gives us a little bit more of a break here and I think it's needed," said Heat forward Dustin Sylvester. A schedule for the next round has yet to be determined Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Eddie+Lack+could+back+Canucks+starting+goalie/6529272/story.html#ixzz1tIc4Mu00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'NucK™ Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 If he's actually deemed ready. 15-20 games. If not, I think he'll still join the Canucks next year - 5-10 games at least. I just hope we don't have to deal with another .8mil career backup.. (LaBarbera, Sanford to name the more recent ones) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappykass Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 We just booted Luongo out, now we're booting Cory too? Lack isn't replacing him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappykass Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 One day. Not now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It's Bieksa's Fault Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 We just booted Luongo out, now we're booting Cory too? Lack isn't replacing him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morrissex95 Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 I've had enough of you people suggesting that Lack is a quality backup. He's not, he's come over from Sweden. They play a completely different game. Give him another year and maybe he'll be a good backup here. Maybe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILL BILL NECRO Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 We just booted Luongo out, now we're booting Cory too? Lack isn't replacing him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightHawkSniper Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 He should be back-up next year should things go well in training camp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
logic Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 Playing tons of games in the AHL> Sitting on the bench in the NHL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoaltenderInterference Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 I read the title as "Eddie Lack could be Canucks starting goalie." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opmac Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 I read the title as "Eddie Lack could be Canucks starting goalie." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schneider Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 We just booted Luongo out, now we're booting Cory too? Lack isn't replacing him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanuckRow Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 I don't think it's right for his development to keep him behind Cory next year (assuming this is our goalie situation). A full year or two as starter in Chicago with Connatta backing him up will do him well. Then Connatta will become starter once he comes up to the big club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UFCanuck Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 It's not that hard to find a back-up goaltender if Lack isn't ready. Maybe we strike gold and get a Brian Elliot or Mike Smith type of signing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ossi Vaananen Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 Lack is NHL ready even MacTavish thinks so. Watching him in OT for the wolves right now, he's standing on his head. He's a Swede and an easy going guy, he'll fit in well in the locker room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.Mouse! Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 I would be OK with Lack backing up Luongo, but not Schneider. I'd rather see an experienced backup for Schneids. There are plenty of decent UFAs out there, who could probably be siogned for around 1 mil. Michael Leighton Al Montoya Chris Mason Brent Johnson Jonas Gustavsson Martin Biron Alex Auld Any of these guys can play 15 solid games, and carry the team for a couple of weeks if needed due to injury. Lack could use at least 1 more year in the AHL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanuck Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 What move exactly since MG has been in charge of this team, has led you to believe that he would be foolish enough, if things play out that way, to have a back-up goalie (Lack) with ZERO NHL games under his belt being the next go-to guy on the bench, after a guy who has never played a full season (as starter) in the NHL (Schneider)? More likely scenario, again only if it plays out this way, is Schneider starting and someone like Chris Mason (UFA this year) backing up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Walrus Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 We just booted Luongo out, now we're booting Cory too? Lack isn't replacing him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day one Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 Schneids. Who really needs him? /sarc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gollumpus Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 Assuming the Canucks do trade Luongo, there might be a chance that in the cap hit return their could be a goalie. For example, if Luongo were to go to TB then Garon might come back this way. He isn't too bad having 1 year left on a contract/cap hit of $1,3 million. regards, G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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