The night before, the rumours started flying that Schneider was on the trade block. Teams were inquiring about him (supposedly Calgary, NJ, Edmonton, and Columbus). Rumours and speculation on possible trades was flooding the draft. Usually it's a lot of hype and smoke and nothing happens...until today.
Here are some facts:
1. Gillis couldn't trade Luongo for something significant. Supposedly the Leafs had offered Kadri and Reimer for Luo. But hindsight is 20/20. Isn't it better to keep Luongo than to buy him out? Yep. Luongo is a good goalie. He played really well this season. I like him a lot but this is now a real gong show.
2. NJ are thrilled that they just stole Cory Schneider. They have found the successor to Brodeur. Marty said, "Cory is one of the top 5 goalies, in my mind, in the NHL. It's a chance to get away with from the chaotic of Vancouver. "
3. Supposedly our coach John 'I promise to be calm' Tortorella loves Luongo and magically we trade Schneider.
4. You know who the last Canuck we traded for who was #9 overall was? Our 'mega superstar' Zach 'I'm a lego manic' Kassian.
5. We are the laughing stock of the NHL. 1st Tortorella and now we trade Schneider instead of Luongo. The only team that might be worse than us is the Philadelphia Flyers trading Richards and Carter away and seeing them hoist the Stanley Cup in LA and buying out the massive contract of Bryzgalov.
Here are some positives:
1. We got younger today...but didn't everyone in the draft? Seriously.
2. Horvat sounds to be a good pick. He came from a successful organization with the London Knights. The TSN draft analysts were going nuts about how good Horvat is. But he's only 18 and I highly doubt he's playing this year. But he was the MVP of the OHL playoffs. This kid is good but probably 2-3 years out of playing regularly in the NHL. At least he's a two way player and plays C.
3. With the 24th overall pick we selected Hunter Shinkaruk who was ranked #14 by Central Scouting. He scored 100 goals in the WHL in 193 games. He was amazing with the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Here are the BIG questions:
1. So we couldn't trade Luongo and I get it...plan B is trade Schneider. So why did we get so little? He said this is the best this was the best opportunity he had. I highly doubt that. Rumours were flying that other teams would have given up much more.
2. How does Mike Gillis have a GM job in the NHL?
3. What if Luongo doesn't want to play for Vancouver and says trade me? Who's going to play goal then? Sign Bryzgalov and hope for the best??? Roberto tweeted today, "#NOtradeclause". Ouch.
4. How does Mike Gillis have a GM job in the NHL?
5. Didn't the Oilers make a significant offer for Schneider? Supposedly Edmonton offered a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round pick with a prospect. The Oilers didn't have another 1st round pick. If their #7 was offered that alone would have been better than what we got from NJ but supposedly there was more. I get the fact that trading to a division rival is not a good idea BUT what about getting the best deal for your team to move forward??? Schneider might not pan out but maybe he will. Maybe he stays healthy and continues to improve or maybe he isn't as good as we all think.
Darren Dreger just tweeted this, "Canucks were not have offered a 1st, 2nd and a very high end prospect by the Oilers, but that is what Gillis asked for...
So maybe Gillis had no real good options?
6. How does Mike Gillis have a GM job in the NHL? Everyone knows last summer he could have gotten way more for Luo or Schneider. Hindsight is 20/20
I like Luongo. I'm not upset that Luo is our goalie going forward. I'm really, really, really, disappointed we didn't get more for Schneider. Unless Horvat turns into a stud this will be one of the worst trades in Canuck history, second to Cam Neeley going to Boston.
Why couldn't we have gotten at least what LA got in return from Toronto for Jonathan Bernier? LA trade Bernier for Scrivens (a great back up goalie who has #1 starter potential), RW (ready to be inserted in your lineup) Matt Frattin, and a second round pick. Great trade by both teams.
Let's not forget that we need to add scoring to our lineup immediately. So disappointed...
My suggestion is to fire Gillis and bring back Brian Burke who is interested in being a GM again to fix this mess.
I could be wrong but I doubt it.