Shannon: Luongo will be traded to Leafs
Roberto Luongo will be traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs once a new CBA is in place, writes Sportsnet insider John Shannon.
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John Shannon | October 19, 2012, 3:57 pm
So there we were Wednesday night on Hockey Central, Jeff Marek, Nick Kypreos, John Garrett and I discussing the merits of Patrick Roy versus Martin Brodeur. And then the topic of what the Vancouver Canucks are going to do in goal when the NHL returns came up.
To the shock of many, I blurted out that the Roberto Luongo-to-Toronto Maple Leafs deal “was done.”
As with anything said on TV, the Twittersphere exploded for 36 hours with Leafs and Canucks fans wanting to know my source, who was involved, how the two teams could talk during a lockout -- all legitimate questions for a deal of such magnitude.
Obviously, neither team confirmed my story, nor should they. Quite frankly, without a CBA in place, trades can’t occur, and team officials publicly discussing any player transactions would result in some sort fine from New York.
Listen now: John Shannon talks Roberto Luongo with Jeff Blair
However, I have been told that the next time Roberto Luongo plays in the NHL, he will play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. It is from a reputable source. End of story.
I do not know who or what he will be traded for, and believe it or not, I don’t think general managers Mike Gillis and Brian Burke know either. The rules of any new collective bargaining agreement will dictate the actual transaction.
Common sense, which seems to be in great shortage these days, puts Luongo in Toronto for a few key reasons.
The Leafs can handle his salary, and there is a huge need in Toronto for a veteran goaltender. The Leafs organization is very familiar with Luongo’s talent, ability and personality. It is an excellent fit.
As I have said all along, the deal in place is all contingent on what the new CBA says.
Roberto Luongo will be traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs once a new CBA is in place, writes Sportsnet insider John Shannon. share
John Shannon | October 19, 2012, 3:57 pm
So there we were Wednesday night on Hockey Central, Jeff Marek, Nick Kypreos, John Garrett and I discussing the merits of Patrick Roy versus Martin Brodeur. And then the topic of what the Vancouver Canucks are going to do in goal when the NHL returns came up.
To the shock of many, I blurted out that the Roberto Luongo-to-Toronto Maple Leafs deal “was done.”
As with anything said on TV, the Twittersphere exploded for 36 hours with Leafs and Canucks fans wanting to know my source, who was involved, how the two teams could talk during a lockout -- all legitimate questions for a deal of such magnitude.
Obviously, neither team confirmed my story, nor should they. Quite frankly, without a CBA in place, trades can’t occur, and team officials publicly discussing any player transactions would result in some sort fine from New York.
Listen now: John Shannon talks Roberto Luongo with Jeff Blair
However, I have been told that the next time Roberto Luongo plays in the NHL, he will play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. It is from a reputable source. End of story.
I do not know who or what he will be traded for, and believe it or not, I don’t think general managers Mike Gillis and Brian Burke know either. The rules of any new collective bargaining agreement will dictate the actual transaction.
Common sense, which seems to be in great shortage these days, puts Luongo in Toronto for a few key reasons.
The Leafs can handle his salary, and there is a huge need in Toronto for a veteran goaltender. The Leafs organization is very familiar with Luongo’s talent, ability and personality. It is an excellent fit.
As I have said all along, the deal in place is all contingent on what the new CBA says.
