naslund.is.king Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Courtesy TSN http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=428294 Roberto Luongo enters the 2013-14 season as the Canucks' number-one netminder. It's a position he did not enjoy entering the lockout-shortened 2013 season. Embroiled in a long battle for playing time with fellow netminder Cory Schneider that dates back to before the Canucks' 2011 Stanley Cup Final run, Luongo spent the better part of the past 12 months addressing trade speculation. However, at the 2013 NHL Draft Canucks general manager Mike Gillis would make a shock move, dealing Schneider and not Luongo. The deal netted the Canucks the ninth overall pick - which they would use to select Bo Horvat – and handed the net firmly back over to Luongo for the foreseeable future. Speaking at the Vancouver Canucks' Summer Summit – an event organized by the Canucks for its fans to update them on team business and news – Gillis was asked immediately about his decision to deal Schneider. “What happened could have been the result all the way through,” Gillis said of the decision to deal Schneider. “At the end of the day we had to make a choice and we made the choice to go to Roberto.” The choice was a surprise to many, so much so that Gillis travelled to Florida to have a face-to-face visit with Luongo at his home to discuss his role moving forward. Gillis' recount of that conversation was one of a changed Luongo, the same player that has become a loose and candid person with the media and fans alike. “It's been a remarkable transformation,” Gillis said of Luongo's shift from the end of 2011 to now. “He felt that after that [2011 Stanley Cup Final] series happened he was blamed more than others or that he was held accountable more than others,” Gillis said. However, Gillis would reiterate that he's comfortable with Luongo as his starter and also stated his belief that his goaltender would also be representing Canada at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia. "Roberto will be our starting goalie," Gillis added. "I feel very optimistic about it." Other issues addressed at the summit included the hopes that the roof will be open at B.C. Place Stadium when the Vancouver Canucks host the Ottawa Senators in the Heritage Classic in March. "If worse comes to worse and it needs to be a covered facility, it'll be a covered facility," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. "We hope that's not the case." Daly fielded questions ahead of Gillis and spoke of the Heritage Classic, amongst other league business like officiating, the health of the League and the possibility of an NHL franchise in Seattle. "I think there's a willingness to consider (expansion)," said Daly. Seattle was seen as a popular destination for the troubled Phoenix Coyotes, who faced a possibility of relocation ahead of a Glendale City Council vote last month. The vote, however, wound up a positive one for the Coyotes, with the City approving a lease deal that could pave the way for the sale of the team to the Renaissance Sports and Entertainment Group. New head coach John Tortorella gave Canucks fans some unexpected news, unveiling two new assistant coaches in the question and answer period. Tortorella revealed that the team has added Mike Sullivan - with whom he worked with the New York Rangers - as well as former Dallas Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan as assistant coaches. Gulutzan spent two years behind the bench in Dallas, posting a 64-57-9 record. The Stars would miss the playoffs both years under Gulutzan, who was replaced last month by former Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff. The team also announced at the summer summit that they would be honouring Canucks great Pavel Bure, by retiring his number 10 in a ceremony during this upcoming season. It really seems like Gillis is talking out his @$$, but in Lu I trust 2013 Your shot at redemption Go luuuu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naslund.is.king Posted July 24, 2013 Author Share Posted July 24, 2013 Roger sportsnet, Via Canadian press -article VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks will retire former star Pavel Bure’s No. 10 jersey in the upcoming NHL season. The Canucks announced the plan during the club’s annual summer summit Tuesday night. Bure was a member of the Canucks in his first seven NHL seasons, between 1991-92 and 1997-98. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November, Bure will be just the fourth player in franchise history to have his number retired, along with Stan Smyl, Trevor Linden and Markus Naslund. A date for the jersey retirement has not been set. “It’s a huge honour,” said Bure after the summit session at Rogers Arena. “I’m just really proud and happy. “It just brings lots of good memories to be next to those great guys.” Bure says Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini discussed the idea of the jersey retirement with him last year in Toronto. “He came to see me during my Hall of Fame induction and that was a really big deal for me,” said Bure. While with the Canucks, Bure recorded 254 goals and 224 assists for 478 points in 428 games played. He still holds the franchise record for most points by a rookie with 60 in 65 games played in 1991-92, as well as the club mark for most career short-handed goals (24). The Moscow native also ranks in the top-5 in franchise history in game-winning goals (32), goals (254) and hat-tricks (nine). Bure shares the franchise lead in playoff goals alongside Linden, registering 34 in 60 playoff games. In 1994, when the Canucks reached the Stanley Cup final, Bure’s 16 playoff goals set a franchise record for most post-season goals in a playoff year. The Canucks also announced that the club has hired Mike Sullivan and Glen Gulutzan as assistant coaches for John Tortorella’s staff The club has been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs the last two seasons and has just one post-season victory since losing Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup final to the Boston Bruins. The lack of playoff success cost Alain Vigneault, the franchise’s all-time winningest coach, his job in May after the Canucks were swept by the San Jose Sharks. Tortorella, fired by the New York Rangers after they were eliminated in the second round by Boston, was hired as Vigneault’s replacement, with the former Canucks coach taking over in the Big Apple. Gillis’ choice of Tortorella as coach has been criticized, along with his handling of Vancouver’s goaltending situation, which resulted in Cory Schneider’s trade to the New Jersey Devils after the Canucks could not move Roberto Luongo and his mammoth contract. Gillis defended his decision to trade Schneider and keep Luongo as the starting goaltender. “We made our choice and our choice was to go with Roberto,” Gillis told the fan summit. He met with Luongo in Florida recently and said the two had a positive conversation, indicating the goaltender is looking forward to returning to the Canucks after he spent the past year expecting to be dealt. “It wasn’t strained or adversarial at all,” Gillis said. The Canucks will enter the 2013-14 season having won five straight Northwest Division titles, but Vancouver’s schedule will be more difficult in the new Pacific Division following NHL realignment. Gillis will also have to contend with a reduced salary cap that drops to $64.2 million from $70.3 million. He and Tortorella said they will give prospects a chance to make the club that has mostly established veterans. “We have to,” said Gillis. “We don’t have a choice.” As well, the Heritage Classic was a major topic of discussion. The team hopes the roof will be open at B.C. Place Stadium when the Canucks host the Ottawa Senators in the Heritage Classic in March. “If worse comes to worse and it needs to be a covered facility, it’ll be a covered facility,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Tuesday. “We hope that’s not the case.” Given B.C. Place’s 59,841 seating capacity, Daly expects some tickets to be priced lower than usual Canucks games at Rogers Arena, but adds that some will also be more expensive. Meanwhile, Daly said the NHL is working with the players’ association and International Ice Hockey Federation to see what can be done to reduce insurance cost for Olympic team’s summer orientation camps. Currently, the high cost of insurance is restricting Canadian and U.S. players to off-ice workouts. Daly spoke to reporters before Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis and new head coach John Tortorella faced questions from fans. Among the other topics discussed, Daly said the NHL will give strong consideration to the Pacific Northwest in the event of expansion or team relocation, but declined to address Seattle specifically. The city was considered a strong candidate for a potential move of the Phoenix Coyotes, who have resolved their arena-lease issues and are expected to stay in Arizona once the sale of the club is complete. The league could look into possible expansion or other business growth after the sale closes. “I think there’s a willingness to consider it,” said Daly, who also added he expects the size of goaltenders’ equipment to be reduced this season. Courtesy Canadian press Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 I know the Canucks are pretty much hated outside of BC. But when I see twits comment on things like Messier's name belongs in the rafters, etc. It really makes my blood boil. I don't go on TSN and slag fans of other teams. Some people need to find themselves other hobbies. Life is too short to hate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 I know the Canucks are pretty much hated outside of BC. But when I see twits comment on things like Messier's name belongs in the rafters, etc. It really makes my blood boil. I don't go on TSN and slag fans of other teams. Some people need to find themselves other hobbies. Life is too short to hate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merci Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Torts' System Will no longer Leave Luongo High and Dry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeNiro Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Torts' System Will no longer Leave Luongo High and Dry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Wondering if NY's pillow-padded shotblocking gloves are also coming with Torts and his assistant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogbyte Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 And hopefully it will take some of the scrutiny off of Luongo and onto our D where it belongs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brick Tamland Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Haha, made the choice? Delusional much? Why not own up to the debacle, like Lu did? Any how, this presser was a sleeper. Another year of lies, deception and deferment. Torts, Sullivan and GG will save his job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.