Luongo deal: A feather in the cap

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1 Luongo deal: A feather in the cap GM Mike Gillis, assistant Laurence Gilman have earned their moment in the spotlight By Cam Cole, Vancouver Sun Sixty-four million smackers doesn't buy what it used to. Not even a personal appearance by the recipient. To see Roberto Luongo in the flesh on the day the Vancouver Canucks were announcing a 12- year, $64-million contract extension that retains the goaltender's rights until the season, a guy would have had to be at Arena Roberto Luongo in the Montreal borough of Saint-Leonard. Maybe over there, reporters had slightly more success triangulating toward the general vicinity of the unvarnished truth than the group that surrounded Canucks general manager and president Mike Gillis at GM Place, where we were given to understand that Luongo got a 12-year top-up not as a way to circumvent the salary cap but because the Canucks, cross-their-hearts-and-hopeto-die, believe he will still be playing when he's 43. On second thought, I doubt that the Montreal scrum had much joy, either. "It was important for both sides [to make the cap number manageable]," said Luongo. "I love playing the game and I want to play it as long as possible... so I hope it's going to be until the end because that's why I signed." Because the salary-cap number is the average per-year value of the contract, Luongo counts for only $5.33 million against the cap. That's less than the $6.1 million each for Daniel and Henrik Sedin over the five-year term of their identical deals -- and if the National Hockey League is investigating the transparently disingenuous pacts signed by Marian Hossa (12 years, $63 million) in Chicago and Chris Pronger (seven years, $34.5 million) in Philly, with zero chance of either player still being active in the latter stages of the contracts, why wouldn't it look into this one? "Well, I think the fact Roberto's a goalie. I think being a goaltender separates anyone from scrutiny in these kinds of contracts, because it's been proven that they can play for extended periods of time and still be dominant players," said Gillis. That's his story, and he's sticking to it.

2 "We saw two 40-year-old goalies playing in the league this year (well, one, anyway -- Curtis Joseph). Dominik Hasek was a dominant goalie late into his 30s and early 40s. Johnny Bower a long time ago, I mean there's lots of precedent at this position. "We didn't have any of the discomfort we might have had with a skating defenceman or forward. "Roberto plays a very cerebral type game, he's not making acrobatic saves and diving all over the place and relying on reflexes. He relies on intelligence and preparation and game planning and... and that gives us a lot of confidence that he's going to be a top player for a long time." I'm pretty sure not even Gillis believes that Luongo is going to be within 3,000 km of Vancouver by the eighth year of this deal -- but there is recent precedent for players leaving years and millions on the table by retiring before their contracts have expired (see Markus Naslund, Jason Smith), which takes their teams off the hook cap-wise. Odds are, that's how this ultimately will go with Luongo. Regardless, it's time Gillis got some credit for putting this exclamation point on one heck of a summer -- in which he and his capologist Laurence Gilman made personal (and evidently persuasive) presentations to the Sedins in Sweden and Luongo in Montreal and brought home the bacon both times. Maybe most impressively, the Canucks' best player -- arguably one of the top 15 in the NHL -- is costing them $5.33 million against the cap. That becomes a very palatable high-water mark, and Gillis is going to have to hear an awfully good argument from anyone in the future who thinks he's worth more than the team's best player. And whatever you may believe about Luongo's chances of making it through 13 years, there are two things to say about that: One, even if the long-term, front-loaded contract loophole is closed in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement, any existing deals would pretty much have to be grandfathered. And two, at least in Luongo's case Gillis is betting on a thoroughbred. "He's the face of the organization, he's our captain, we think he's the most dominant player at his position in the league right now, and the length of the contract reflects how we feel about his lifestyle, his ability to continue to play, his dedication to his craft. It's the way we wanted to connect and keep that continuity going over a long period of time." Luongo, it seems, was similarly impressed with Gillis's approach to a very different craft. "We were awfully close philosophically right from the start," said the GM, of the summer-long negotiations.

3 But signing the Sedins surely got Luongo's attention. So did adding three veteran defencemen -- Mathieu Schneider, Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich. "Having good players is vital to keeping good players and attracting good players," said Gillis. Next up: extending Ryan Kesler, dumping some bodies (and salaries), and figuring out what to do about AHL player of the year Cory Schneider, who woke up as Canucks' goalie of the future and went to bed as a listing on the commodities market. But let Gillis and Gilman enjoy this moment, first. They've earned it. ccole@vancouversun.com TOP-HEAVY CONTRACT How Roberto Luongo's 12-year contract extension breaks down in U.S. dollars: $10 million $6.716 million $6.714 million $6.714 million $6.714 million $6.714 million $6.714 million $6.714 million $3.382 million $1.618 million $1 million $1 million Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun Playoff failure's in the past for this lifer

4 Roberto Luongo had to get over the bad taste of last season's finish before signing his contract By Elliott Pap, Vancouver SunSeptember 3, 2009 Once the playoff failure was over and Roberto Luongo had gathered himself, he quickly realized there was no other hockey place he'd rather be. Vancouver had won his heart. Canuck management, led by GM Mike Gillis, was top notch. The Aquilinis were awesome owners. So where do I sign? Maybe it wasn't exactly in that order but you get the picture. Bobby Lou wanted to be a Canuck for life and he became one Wednesday with his 12-year, $64-million contract extension. If he plays it out, he'll be 43 when the deal expires. "Obviously it was a really disappointing ending to the season, but once you're removed from that a few weeks later, you kind of analyze where you're at and where the team is at and where you want to go," Luongo said on a conference call from Montreal. "It was a clear decision for me. We love Vancouver and I think the organization had handled us really well and given us a chance to win. "We're really ecstatic and I was really thankful the Canuck management and Mike Gillis had the confidence in me to give me this type of contract. We're all in it to win a Stanley Cup and I'm really looking forward to the opportunity over the next few years to try to bring one to Vancouver." Luongo, 30, raised some alarm bells last March during a Hockey Night In Canada interview when he said: "First and foremost, I want to win the Cup, and whichever team is going to give me the best chance to do that is the team I want to be with." Some interpreted that to mean he planned to play out his contract and go team-shopping on July 1, Not so, he insisted. "During the season, it's kind of hard to analyze things because you're so worried about how you're playing and making sure you're winning and all that stuff," Luongo explained. "It's pretty evident Vancouver is one of the teams I thought had a chance to win. I thought we had a chance to win last year with the team we had. At the end of the day, that's all you can ask for. "We were really close last year and I think we took a big step forward this summer," he continued. "I think we have a great offence and we've added more pieces to what was already a good defence. I think we have the right team already."

5 Luongo admitted he had no idea where he'd be physically in the latter years of his contract. Would he, could he, ever wind it down as a backup? "I don't know," he replied. "That's a long time away for me. Who knows where I'll be at that point in my career? For me, it's always been about starting. It's tough to say how I'm going to feel in about 10 years but if my body is still good and I'm playing well, that's a decision I'll have to make at that time." epap@vancouversun.com Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun Luongo's big deal no big deal to Schneider Canucks top goalie prospect coming to camp with an ankle sprain, but says he's focused on making the team as a backup By Elliott Pap, Vancouver SunSeptember 3, 2009 Vancouver Canuck goaltending prospect Cory Schneider will be 36 when Roberto Luongo's contract expires but, as Schneider noted Wednesday, his circumstances haven't really been altered. He is coming to training camp next week to try to win the backup spot from veteran Andrew Raycroft. His long-term future? Well, that can wait for another day. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm still a member of the Canucks right now and I plan on making the team and helping them win right now," said Schneider, 23. "What happens going forward is going to happen. For now, I'm completely focused on making this team." Schneider wasn't surprised by the Luongo extension -- "everyone knew it was in the works" -- and the length didn't faze him either. "Even if it had been a five- or six-year deal, it would have been a long time for me in terms of my development or waiting or what-not," he explained. "So I don't think the length really has much to do with it."

6 Schneider, the American League goalie of the year last season, has more pressing matters anyway. He rolled his ankle doing dryland work about 10 days ago and doesn't know whether he'll be completely fit for the opening of training camp Sept. 12. He is still on his entry-level, two-way contract and doesn't require waivers to be sent down. So any injury-related shortcomings in performance could harm his chances to stick. "It's an ankle sprain, nothing serious but it's kind of nagging for now," he said. "It's just kind of frustrating having it happen so close to camp after working so hard. I'm trying to not let it get to me. "Will I be 100 per cent for camp? Who knows? There is another week and a half to go so I can't say how I'll feel by then. But I'm not going to use it as an excuse or blame my ankle if anything goes wrong." Canuck GM Mike Gillis insisted Wednesday he is under no pressure to immediately trade Schneider away. He plans to see how things unfold once camp opens. Maybe Schneider is great, or maybe he plays himself back to the Manitoba Moose to at least start the season. "There is no pressure [to make a trade]," Gillis responded. "None. Cory is going to have every opportunity to make this team. That's what he's been told. He is a great young player for us and what happens with another player doesn't necessarily affect him at this point in time. "We are going to let him find his own level." In other Canuck news: Gillis reiterated he still has interest in re-signing aging Mats Sundin but that the dithering Swede will have to be in training camp for Day One. Forward Ryan Kesler is the team's "next priority" for a contract extension. If unsigned by next July 1, Kesler will be a restricted free agent and subject to predatory offer sheets. Gillis said the Canucks are planning to re-sign goaltending consultant Ian Clark. "The intention is he'll back and he's still working for us. We just haven't signed the contract." The Phoenix Coyotes signed ex- Canucks winger Taylor Pyatt to a one-year deal on Wednesday. The 28-year-old recorded 10 goals,19 points and 43 penalty minutes in 69 games last season. epap@vancouversun.com Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

7 Ed Willes: Luongo a deal, but can he be the difference? Franchise star still has to prove he can lead team to Promised Land By Ed Willes, The Province The immediate response to Roberto Luongo's new contract is to declare a massive victory for the Vancouver Canucks and, even when the deal is scrutinized more closely, it's hard to find a downside. Luongo's cap hit for next season and into the distant future will be $5.3 million US a season. To put that number in perspective, it means the Canucks will be paying substantially less for their starting goalie than the New York Rangers (Henrik Lundqvist at $6.8 million); the Buffalo Sabres (Ryan Miller at $6.25 million); the Minnesota Wild (Nicklas Backstrom at $6 million); the Calgary Flames (Mikka Kiprusoff at $5.8 million) and even the Chicago Blackhawks (Cristobal Huet at, yikes, $5.6 million). Granted, the Canucks will be on the hook for Luongo a tad longer than some of those contracts, but in the salary-cap world the only relevant number concerns that cap hit. When you look up and down the existing deals for goalies, in fact, you can make the case the Canucks now have the NHL's best bargain in Luongo. True, youngsters like Steve Mason, Pekka Rinne and Cam Ward will all come cheaper next season. But they'll get the big money soon enough. Luongo is universally regarded as one of the three best goalies in the NHL and, next season, his cap hit will rank him ninth in compensation among his fraternity. So what's not to like? Well, as much as the contract represents a home run for the Canucks, it's still yet to be proven that you can win in the new-world NHL with a goalie as your best player. That's been the case since the lockout. It was certainly the case again last season. And if it's the case going forward, what does it say about the Canucks' chances? Last season, for example, five of the top-10 goalies in save percentage played for teams which failed to make the playoffs and the only one who appeared in the final four was Chicago's

8 Nikolai Khabibulin. The results were a lot more encouraging in goals-against average where eight of the top-10 goalies made the playoffs. But, again, Khabibulin was the only goalie to appear in a conference final. Now look at the goalies who made the conference semifinals. Luongo was the biggest name there followed by Khabibulin. The others were a mixed bag which included Chris Osgood, Jonas Hiller, Tim Thomas, Marc-Andre Fleury, Simeon Varlamov and Ward. We're not saying goaltending isn't important in the NHL. Far from it. We are saying, however, there are a number of ways to fill that position. The Canucks, for their part, are now moving forward with a team built around their 'keeper, and their fate will reveal much about the position's importance in the new NHL. Luongo is at the peak of his career. He's been signed at a cap-friendly number. The Canucks are a competitive team which won their division last season and seemed to improve this offseason. But are they ready to take the next step? Last season they didn't measure up against the best teams in the West and that will be an issue again this season. Detroit is still the team to beat. The Blackhawks are young and improving. So's St. Louis. So's Columbus. Anaheim lost Chris Pronger, but they're still loaded up front. San Jose might get it right one of these years. Against that backdrop, even the most die-hard Canucks fan has to concede that their 18 skaters aren't good enough to get this team to the promised land. That means Luongo will have to make the difference and that's an awful lot to ask of one man. Ed Willes at ewilles@theprovince.com Copyright (c) The Province Numbers not important to Luongo Only thing that matters to netminder is winning a Stanley Cup title By Jason Botchford, The ProvinceSeptember 3, :25 AM

9 The number you will remember most from Roberto Luongo's contract isn't the 12 years or the $64 million US or even the $5.33 million cap hit, though that last one is pretty nice. No, the most important digit for Vancouver Canucks fans is the No. 1 because that's the one which may end up hanging from the rafters for generations. One of the game's best goalies has finally wrapped himself in the Vancouver flag with a 12-year "lifetime" deal designed with the hope he will be the greatest Canuck of all time. This all may make sense now. Luongo gets security and money, a lot of it. The Canucks get breathing room, and flexibility, under the cap. But just five months ago no one would have dreamed of this deal. Not even Luongo. Or the guy running his fake Twitter account. Because on one side there was Luongo, the private, moody, driven, larger-than-life goalie who has never been capable until now of wrapping his arms around this city to make it feel all gooey and loved. On the other side was the methodical, patient, GM Mike Gillis, the man with the detailed plan who has been loath to expose the Canucks to the kind of risk that comes with a deal like this. And if you think there's no risk, just Google Rick DiPietro and his injury woes. But if Gillis was going to bend for a player, and take a chance, it was going to be Luongo. He is the right person, a straight-laced family man, a homebody whose biggest vice is online poker. He is the right player, a wonderful athlete who can do wonderful things, as dominant and consistent as he is consumed by his pursuit of a Stanley Cup ring. And, finally, Luongo plays the right position. Goalies last longer and erode slower. "It was huge," Gillis said when asked how much the position Luongo played factored. "In my mind, the defining feature of doing a contract at this length was the fact he plays goal. "We saw two 40-year-old goalies playing in the league this year (Curtis Joseph and Dwayne Roloson, who is actually 39). Dominik Hasek was a dominant goalie late into his 30s and early 40s. Johnny Bower a long time ago, I mean there's lots of precedent at this position. "We didn't have any of the discomfort we might have had with a skating defenceman or forward." Gillis will be showered with praise in the coming days for this deal, but his greatest feat was convincing Luongo he was the one who could finally build a winner around him. In March, Luongo who was going to get his money anywhere he wanted next year memorably told CBC he wanted to play for the team that gave him the best chance to win. After the season, and a few weeks of soul searching, he concluded the Canucks are that team, or at least among the contenders. "During the season, it's hard to analyze things because you're so worried about how you're playing and you're trying to win," Luongo said. "Obviously it was a really disappointing ending.

10 But once you're removed from that, a couple of weeks later, you analyze where you're at, where the team's at and where you want to go. It became evident that Vancouver is one of the teams that has a chance to win. "You have to look at so many things when you make a decision like this. From the day I met Mike, he told me wants to build a championship team and that's the only thing he wants. I'm the same type of person as an athlete." Luongo and Gillis officially concluded they were on the same page in a June meeting. That started a long process to get this deal done. It was only finalized last week when the Canucks, who started the process offering a shorter-term deal, bumped their offer to 12 years. The contract will finally dispel the rumours that Luongo, and his wife, weren't happy here. "It was a clear decision for me. We love Vancouver," Luongo said. Does he love it enough to play here until this contract ends in 2022, when he will be making $1 million and may be asked to be a backup? "I don't know," he said. "That's a long time away for me. Who knows where I'll be at that point in my career? For me, it's always been about starting. It's tough to say how I'm going to feel in about 10 years, but if my body is still good and I'm playing well, that's a decision I'll have to make at that time." jbotchford@theprovince.com Copyright (c) The Province Luongo's man Clark, among best in NHL, will likely return in part-time role By Jason Botchford, The ProvinceSeptember 3, 2009 With Roberto Luongo and the Sedin twins re-signed, the next item on GM Mike Gillis's plate will be extending his coaching staff. The most interesting question among that group is whether the team's goalie consultant Ian Clark will be back. Luongo and Clark go way back and there was some speculation Luongo was reluctant to sign with Vancouver if Clark wasn't going to return.

11 There is precedent. When Luongo was in Florida, one of his contract demands was that the Panthers hire Francois Allaire to be his coach. But Luongo doused the Clark rumours Wednesday when he said he committed to Gillis in June by telling him he wanted to stay in Vancouver and for a long, long time. Clark has a business and family in Dallas and has, therefore, been employed only on a part-time basis with the Canucks. There are those around the team, including Luongo, who would like him around more. It's believed Clark asked for $250,000 to come back to Vancouver. It's a lot of money for an assistant coach. But it's also about what Allaire made in Anaheim last year on a part-time basis. Good goalie coaches are hard to come by in the NHL. Greenhorn coach Jocelyn Thibault was just hired as Colorado's goalie consultant and you better believe Luongo wants someone with experience. Clark is considered among the best in the league. "The intention is he will be back and he's working toward being back," Gillis said of Clark. "He's carrying on like he's still working for us. He just hasn't signed the contract." Luongo is expected in Vancouver where he is set to begin working with Clark. Copyright (c) The Province Schneider needs new backup plan Luongo's long deal casts doubt on AHL top goalie's career with Vancouver By Gordon Mcintyre, The Province September 3, 2009 Brian Burke, Dave Nonis, Pat Quinn and Mike Gillis all acquired netminders who were AHL goalies of the year; none panned out. So Gillis will either have to hope other GMs don't know local history and will pay dearly for Cory Schneider, now that Roberto Luongo has signed for life, or that the AHL's top goalie in can make the Canucks this season -- then play a whole lot better than he did in his NHL debut last year so the Canucks GM can get something worthwhile back via trade.

12 Schneider knows the score. "First of all, obviously for Roberto it's great," Schneider said from Minneapolis on Wednesday after hearing about Roberto Luongo's 12-year contract extension. "He's worked hard and he deserves it. "For me, it probably doesn't bode well going forward." Schneider is in Minnesota training in preparation for next week's Canucks training camp. His short-term future is the same as it was last year -- try to make the team as Luongo's backup and get NHL games under his belt. His long-term association with the club is finished, however, but Schneider didn't want to go there. "I'm still employed by the Canucks for now," he said. "They're doing what's best for their organization and I'm focused on helping the Canucks organization. Whatever happens, happens." Schneider, called up from Manitoba after Luongo hurt his groin in late November, did not look like an NHL goalie. He was 2-4-1, once gave up five goals on 15 shots, looked like a beer-leaguer on a shootout and finished his stint with the Canucks with a 3.38 GAA and a.877 save percentage. It's not the first time he had trouble adjusting to the next level. After a stellar college career, he almost got sent down by the Moose two seasons ago, to Victoria of the ECHL, because of a lax work ethic. "My preparation wasn't anywhere near where it needed to be," Schneider said. But he turned things around the past 11/2 AHL seasons, putting up great numbers and leading the Moose to the Calder Cup while winning the Baz Bastien (top goalie) award. But the Baz has never travelled well. Here's a list of former Baz winners who fizzled as Canucks: Corey Hirsch (drafted by Quinn, never panned out); Martin Brochu (claimed by Burke off waivers, a glorious failure); Dany Sabourin (waivers by Nonis, was awful); Jason LaBarbera (traded for a seventh-round pick by Gillis last season, competent in relief but wasn't re-signed). If it's a big step up from NCAA to AHL, it's an even bigger jump to the NHL from the farm. "Absolutely," Schneider said. "I can't say I totally adjusted [last season]. "Everyone is smarter, more skilled. It takes a while to make the corrections you need to make."

13 It's in everyone's interest -- the Canucks, Gillis, Schneider -- that Schneider figure out those corrections this season. The Canucks need him as big-time trade bait, and Schneider needs to jump-start his pro career. "Even if Roberto hadn't signed, I'd be in the same situation," the 23-year-old goalie said. "I'm fighting for a backup job." That fight will be with free-agent signee Andrew Raycroft, the Calder winner, but also with himself. gordshockey@hotmail.com Copyright (c) The Province Tony Gallagher: Give Cory Schneider a chance... to leave A test of ethics for agent-turned-canucks supremo Mike Gillis By Tony Gallagher, The ProvinceSeptember 3, :28 AM The signing of Roberto Luongo certainly appears to be a solid move for the Canucks, maximizing the club's stability -- and its ability to attract free agents. And the lower cap hit minimizes the risk if, somewhere down this long road, the goalie's play should head south. Having the "does Luongo like it here?" issue settled should help the team and the player as they try to build with hopefully-improved scouting and development programs. With Luongo finally done, not surprisingly the talk immediately shifts to Cory Schneider's future with the Canucks. It now becomes an interesting test of ethics for agent-turned-general manager Mike Gillis.

14 The best is to have Schneider make the team, and play enough games well enough to get the attention of another NHL team. The young goaltender could then become the heart of a deal in and around the trade deadline to make that one move you'd like heading into the playoffs. Then the Canucks could head to the draft next year for a goalie or two of the future -- the distant future. The worst case would be that they've waited too long already to move the kid and that he gets clearly beaten out for the backup job by Andrew Raycroft, goes to Manitoba and disappears from everyone's radar. This management has a moral obligation to trade this kid sooner than later, for a very simple reason. When you can't compete for the No. 1 job in an organization, you have to be allowed to move on when you're Schneider's age and trying to gain a name for yourself. To keep him here longer than necessary -- if he really can play -- isn't fair to a guy who's said nothing and made all the right moves since he came to an organization where his future has been a closed book. Schneider often gets kidded that he doesn't need a no-trade contract, just a must-trade clause. Certainly, it's in the the team's best interests to move him when it suits them. Gillis has loyalty to ownership and the fans because that's who he's working for. But it's a difficult tightrope to walk when you are trying to cast your franchise as one of the best places in the league for players to be. Judging by what Mathieu Schneider said when he was signed, and from all the agents around the league who are trying to get their players into Vancouver, this program certainly seems to be gaining some momentum. To really cement it and get themselves into the Detroit realm, all they need to do is go a little further in the playoffs. Players will sometimes take less to play, as they do on a regular basis in Detroit. If they do that, as some Canucks roster have done, it increases the likelihood of enduring success. The team risks its blossoming reputation if by keeping Schneider in a position where he's ready, but can't compete for, the top job.

15 It hasn't reached that point yet, obviously, because when the kid came up last year during the injury to Luongo he was something of a nervous wreck with the opportunity and he got nowhere near grabbing the brass ring. Had he done so, Gillis and Laurence Gilman might already have be on the phone to move him as the ink on Luongo's deal dries. So Schneider has no complaints yet. But if he should win the backup job and play well in the opportunities Luongo affords him this year -- and there should be considerably more given the torturous nature of this Olympic-year schedule -- moving him becomes more than an option. It becomes an obligation. Copyright (c) The Province Greybeard Goalies: A critical look at how some performed in their twilight years The ProvinceSeptember 3, 2009 Roberto Luongo will be 43 when his new 12-year, $64-million-US contract ends. Good goalies historically have had longer playing careers than skaters, both in the modern era and in days when they stopped pucks when their faces. It's not likely we'll see Luongo as a 40-something $1-million backup, though. More likely he'll play about eight seasons, after which his annual salary drops off steeply. Over the first eight years he'll make $57 million, which works out to an average of $7.125 million a year. With a cap hit of $5.33 million, that's almost $1.8 million extra Canucks GM Mike Gillis has to play with. (As in Chicago's deal with Marian Hossa and Philadelphia's with Chris Pronger, the league will probably look into the front-loaded extension; Gillis said he's not concerned.) Here's a look at how the best-known greybeard goalies fared in their twilights:

16 Martin Broduer, active at 37: Front-runner to start for Canada at 2010 Olympics. Patrick Roy, retired at 36: Left while still on top of his game. Ed Belfour, retired at 42: 34 wins with Toronto at age 40. Curtis Joseph, free agent at 42: Play fell off in final years. Mike Vernon, retired at 39: 2.76 GAA during final season. Dominik Hasek, retired at 43: 2.14 GAA,.902 in final year. Terry Sawchuk, retired at 41: 2.52 GAA his final year. Jacques Plante, retired at 44: At 42, had a 1.88 GAA and shared Vezina. Glenn Hall, retired at 40: Shared Vezina with Plante at 38. Tony Esposito, retired at 41: Never had a save percentage above.900 in final eight years. Gump Worsley, retired at 45: Had a 2.12 GAA as a 43-year-old. -- Gordon McIntyre Copyright (c) The Province Just don't get the readers started! Good, bad and -- some say -- ugly of Louie's deal The ProvinceSeptember 3, 2009 The Roberto Luongo signing is BIG news. Everyone has an opinion, and here are a few from our website ( "Lou, Mike and Francesco -- good work, boys!" -- rocket ronnie

17 "I'm not saying it's a lousy deal for the Canucks, as Louie's been the backbone of the team. But it is risky. He'll continue to play well -- but probably not for at least half of the years remaining. Chronic injuries will start." -- Better than the sisters "To all of you that go on and on about Luongo not having a Cup, the Vezina and all that... 'Blah, blah, blah.' He has yet to have a solid team in front of him in the playoffs. He is one game off the record for the most wins in a regular season. If Gillis can get the rest of the pieces of the puzzle together we will go deeper into the playoffs." -- Reader "I'm a hockey fan -- but no longer a NHL fan. Owners and fans who think such salaries are good are without conscience." -- Rudy Haugeneder "HA HA HA... Will Luongo be allowed to tend goal with his walker? I can't wait to see this deal choke in a few years." -- Detroit "So, the Vancouver Canucks win the Stanley Cup for sure this year, right? One question: Can Roberto score goals?" -- islander "So now we have our goalie nailed down for the next decade. Let's get someone who can put the puck in the net. Luongo is one small piece of the puzzle when you have a solid team in front of you and a large piece if you have a bad team in front of you." -- good start "Brodeur is a great goalie. Some of his best games won the Cup, but he also had a good offence in front of him and a good D. Luongo has yet to see the team in front of him that could/will get him a Cup.Until we get a rushing D and good, solid forwards we will never go anywhere. Hopefully, the new signings will be a good start." -- Reader "Having Luongo is like having the best lawnmower on the block... while it has the potential to make your yard look good, it will only do so if the grass is watered and fertilized. The goalie is good most of the time; the team continues to be slightly better than competitive. Gillis has pretty much set a course for mediocrity."

18 -- Luongoed out "Now can we plan the parade?" -- babalu Copyright (c) The Province Former Canuck Pyatt signs deal with Coyotes News Services September 3, 2009 The Phoenix Coyotes have signed left wing Taylor Pyatt to a one-year contract. The 28-year-old Pyatt scored 10 goals and added nine assists with 43 penalty minutes in 69 games with the Vancouver Canucks last season, and he also appeared in four playoff games for the Canucks. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Pyatt has 91 goals and 100 assists with 315 penalty minutes in 532 career NHL games with Vancouver, Buffalo and the New York Islanders. Copyright (c) Canwest News Service Luongo's in for the long run By HOSEA CHEUNG, SUN MEDIA It's finally official, finally. After a summer of unconfirmed reports, the Canucks locked up goaltender and captain Roberto Luongo yesterday to a 12-year contract extension worth $64 million. "We're really thankful for the Canucks management to have the confidence in me to give me this kind of contract," Luongo said via phone conference call. "I just want to play as long as I can." The front-loaded deal, which has a $5.33-million salary cap hit, gives the Canucks flexibility salary-wise starting next offseason as Luongo's current contract eats up $6.75 million of the team's cap space.

19 Luongo will receive $10 million during the first season of the contract, while it will gradually decreases until the final two years where he'll be paid $1 million per season. It was a deal that benefitted both sides, according to Luongo. "We had to do something that makes sense for both me and the team, and I think that's what we accomplished by doing a deal where the money is a bit more front-loaded," he said. The 6'3", 205-lbs goaltender posted a record last year while setting a franchise record for most shutouts in a season with nine. The contract, which has the 30-year-old Montreal native signed through the season, also includes a no-trade and no-movement clause. More importantly though, it means the Canucks will be a top cup-contending team for the next decade. "He's the face of our organization," said Mike Gillis yesterday. "We've seen goalies play at high levels right into their 40's. We feel he's the most dominant player in his position right now and should be for a long-time coming. Luongo now a $64-million man Matthew Sekeres VANCOUVER From Thursday's Globe and Mail Last updated on Thursday, Sep. 03, :50AM EDT Goaltender Robert Luongo is worthy of a 12-year contract extension because of the way he plays his position, the Vancouver Canucks said yesterday after announcing a monster pact for their captain. Luongo, who is entering the final season of his existing deal, signed a 12-year extension worth $64- million (all currencies U.S.) that averages $5.33-million a season. It is a salary-cap friendly extension, fitting tidily under the team s $56.8-million spending limit, and it comes complete with a no-trade clause that will keep Luongo in Vancouver until he is 43, should he choose to play that long. The frontloaded contract is similar to what Vancouver s top forwards, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, asked for this summer. But Canucks general manager Mike Gillis refused, and ultimately signed the point-agame forwards to five-year, $30.5-million contracts. Gillis said Luongo differed for three reasons. One, the twins were negotiating as a duo, not individuals, increasing the club s exposure over decadelong deals. The general manager added that goaltenders have longer careers and that he expects Luongo to excel into his late 30s and early 40s because of his style of play. In my mind, it was the defining feature of doing a contract of this length, Gillis said. I ve never been comfortable with the idea of forwards or defencemen being on these types of contracts. I think a goaltender is a completely different position.

20 [Luongo] plays a very cerebral type game. He isn t making acrobatic saves and diving all over the place and relying on reflexes. He is relying on intelligence and preparation and game planning and, when necessary, reflexes and reactions, Gillis continued. He plays an easy, relaxed style of game. That gives us a lot of confidence that he is going to be a top player for a long time." Despite a second-round playoff loss and Luongo s oft-stated desire to play for a Stanley Cup contender, the Canucks and Luongo began talking about an extension in June and made immediate progress. Once the Sedins re-signed, hours before becoming free agents on July 1, the parties effectively had an understanding that a deal would be reached. The sides only began talking about a 12-year deal last week. Previously, they were discussing eightand nine-year deals. Assistant general manager Laurence Gilman made a presentation on the club s plans for building a winner when he and Gillis made a personal visit to Montreal, where Luongo makes his off-season home, late last month. The biggest thing for me was that I wanted a chance to win the Cup, Luongo said. Since I ve been in Vancouver, I think management has done a great job in building a team to try and win a Cup. This past season, even though we didn t make it, I thought we had a chance to win and that s all I can ask for. Luongo will make $10-million in , and roughly $6.7-million for every season thereafter through the season. His compensation then decreases to $3.3-million and $1.6-million before finishing with two $1-million seasons. Under his current terms, Luongo s cap hit is $6.75-million and he will earn $7.5-million this season. The Canucks cited goaltenders who have played at high levels into their 40s, such as Dominik Hasek and Dwayne Roloson, in rationalizing the extended term. The NHL does not look kindly on such term lengths, but they have become increasingly common for star players such as Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen of the Detroit Red Wings, and Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa. Most are structured with low-compensation years at the back end of the contract, which has led to rumours that they come with handshake agreements that the players will retire before the deals expire, providing enormous cap relief to their teams. Such side arrangements would be violations of the labour agreement, leading the NHL to scrutinize these decade-long deals. In Vancouver, Gillis said the fact that Luongo is a goaltender makes the new deal bulletproof. It s been proven they can play for extended periods of time, he said. We feel he s the most dominant player at his position right now and should be for a long time coming. The life of the contract reflects how we feel about his lifestyle, his ability to continue to play, and his dedication to his craft. The Canucks consider Luongo among their best professionals. Besides fantasy sports, he seemingly has few interests or vices outside of family and hockey. The agreement, while clarifying Luongo s future, does come with one complication. Cory Schneider, considered one of the best goaltending prospects in the world, is now blocked from the No. 1 job. Gillis said that Schneider would come to training camp next week and compete with former Maple Leaf Andrew Raycroft to be Luongo s backup. The 23-year-old is also more likely to be traded.

21 LUONGO AGREES WITH CANUCKS ON 12-YEAR/$64M EXTENSION Roberto Luongo will be between the pipes in Vancouver for the foreseeable future. On Wednesday, the Canucks announced that they have agreed to terms with their star goalie on a 12-year contract extension worth $64 million. The deal will keep Luongo in Vancouver through the season, and carries an average annual cap hit to the Canucks of $5.33 million. "I'm very excited," Luongo said during a conference call. "Once the season was over I took a few weeks and it was a clear decision for me and my family. We love Vancouver and I think the organization has handled us really well and this gives us a chance to win, so we're really ecstatic. "When I signed I wanted to make sure that it was fair for both sides, and that there was some room to bring in some players if we need to add a piece or two down the road to win the Cup," explained Luongo on Wednesday in Saint-Leonard, Quebec. "There were a lot of things involved in this negotiation, and that was definitely something that was really important." Luongo had originally set a deadline of Sept. 13 to complete the deal, after which time he did not want the mid-season distraction of negotiating a new contract. The 30-year old Canucks captain is entering the final year of a four-year, $27 million contract. He will make $7.5-million for the season, and now forgoes a chance to explore the free agency market next summer. "There's always an intriguing part about free agency, but at the same time, if you're happy where you are and you're comfortable there, and you think you have a team to win with, why would you go somewhere else?" said Luongo. The deal will also keep him in Vancouver until he is 43, and the goalie was asked about his desire to keep playing until such an age. "Well, (Chris) Chelios (at age 47) is doing it, I don't see why I can't do it, so we'll see what happens," said Luongo. "I take care of myself - not only during the season, but in the off-season I work out hard - I watch what I eat and all that stuff. I'll play as long as I can because I love the sport. As long as my body keeps telling me to play I'll be in the pipes."

22 "Today is a very exciting day for the Canucks organization," said Canucks president and general manager Mike Gillis. "Roberto Luongo is the leader of our hockey team; he is in the prime of his playing career and has a tremendous desire to make the Canucks a championship team. His leadership, competitiveness and character are what this team will represent for many years to come." Last season, the all-star goalie went with nine shutouts and a GAA of 2.34 for the Canucks. He is one of the top candidates to be selected to play for Canada at the upcoming Olympics. He was drafted by the New York Islanders in the first round (4th overall) of the 1997 draft. He will be entering his 10th NHL season. With July's re-signing of Daniel and Henrik Sedin, along with last week's acquisitions of defenceman Mathieu Schneider, Christian Ehrhoff, and Brad Lukowich, Luongo thinks that the Canucks can rebound from their loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round of last year's playoffs. "We've added some more pieces this summer, so I really like our group," said Luongo. "Once you're in the playoffs it's a clean sheet for everybody, and whomever is playing the best at that time can take it. For us it's a matter of getting there, and making sure that once we're there we're playing at our best." It's Lou for the long run Wednesday, September 2, 2009 THE CANADIAN PRESS VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Canucks are confident that Roberto Luongo will be their goaltender into his 40s, which is why they signed him to a US$64-million, 12-year contract extension Wednesday. "We saw two 40-year-old goalies playing in the league this past year," Canucks GM Mike Gillis said. "Dominik Hasek was a dominant goalie into his late 30s and early 40s. Johnny Bower a long time ago, there's lots of precedent at this position. "We didn't have any of the discomfort that we would have had with a skating defencemen or forward." Luongo, 30, says he's in great shape and believes he'll still be playing in the NHL at the end of the deal. "Chelly's doing it, I don't see why I can't," joked Luongo, referring to 47-year-old defenceman Chris Chelios, who played for the Detroit Red Wings last season. "As long as my body keeps telling me I can play, I'll be in the pipes." Looking relaxed, wearing a T-shirt, jeans and flip-flops, Luongo met with reporters Wednesday afternoon in the parking lot of Montreal's Roberto-Luongo Arena, the rink where he first laced up his goalie pads as a kid. Gillis confirmed Luongo's deal, which was finalized Wednesday morning, will count $5.3 million per year against the NHL's salary cap. The extension will keep the Canucks captain in Vancouver until the

23 season. Luongo could retire earlier than the full length of the contract with no cap consequences for the Canucks. "He's the face of the organization, he's our captain and we think he's the most dominant player in his position in the league right now," Gillis said. Luongo earned $7 million last season and is due to earn $7.5 million for the upcoming campaign, which was the final year of his existing contract. The new deal has him making $10 million in , $6.716 million in , $6.714 for the next six seasons, $3.382 million in , $1.618 million in and $1 million in each of and He went last season with a franchise-record nine shutouts and is expected to challenge Martin Brodeur for Canada's starting job at the Olympics. The Canucks were ousted in the second round of last season's playoffs by the Chicago Blackhawks, but Luongo said he remained committed to Vancouver. "Obviously it was a disappointing ending but once you're removed from that, a few weeks later you kind of analyze where you're at, where the team's at and where you want to go," he said during a morning conference call before talking to reporters in Montreal. "I thought we had a chance last year to win with the team that we had, and at the end of the day, that's really all you can ask for. "We're all in it to win the Stanley Cup and I'm really looking forward to the opportunity over the next few years to try to bring one to Vancouver." In 544 career games the Montreal native is with a 2.57 goals-against average. Luongo, whose play frequently draws cheers of Lo-o-o-o-o at GM Place, is a workhorse who wants to start every game. But his 54 appearances in was the lowest since he entered the NHL in with the New York Islanders, who drafted him fourth overall in That was because a groin injury suffered in a 3-1 victory Nov. 22 in Pittsburgh sidelined him 24 games. The Canucks were during his absence. Luongo was in all-star form prior to the injury, setting a club record of 232 minutes 36 seconds of shutout hockey. Vancouver was a surprise Northwest Division winner last season but was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs in a wild 7-5 Game 6 loss to the Blackhawks in Chicago. In an unusual move last season, the Canucks named Luongo team captain. The league does not officially recognize his captaincy and there's no C on his sweater as rules forbid goalies from roaming to the penalty box area to discuss calls with referees. He wears the C on his mask. Luongo was obtained on the eve of the June 2006 NHL entry draft by then general manager Dave Nonis. The blockbuster deal packaged forward Todd Bertuzzi, defenceman Brian Allen and goalie Alex Auld to the Florida Panthers. Luongo, defenceman Lukas Krajicek, no longer with Vancouver, and a sixth-round draft pick came to the Canucks.

24 Gillis re-signed twin forwards Henrik and Daniel Sedin to five-year contract extensions this summer. He also signed 40-year-old free agent defenceman Mathieu Schneider last week. Luongo said the return of the Sedins was a big factor in his decision to commit for the long term. "I think those guys are a big part of our team and they're great guys, not only on the ice but off the ice," he said. "It was nice to see them come back with the organization. Luongo's also pleased with the club's other new additions. "We've added more pieces this summer, so I really like our group, and like I said before, once you're in the playoffs it's a clean sheet for everybody and whoever's playing the best at that time can take it," he said. Gillis is confident, too. "We've gone out and gotten the defenceman we wanted. We're really deep on defence," he said. "We think we've got the best goalie in the league right now signed to a long-term contract. "We've got our two top offensive producing forwards signed for five years, so I think we're in good shape." - With files from Canadian Press reporters Andy Blatchford, Ron Sudlow and Chris Johnston. THE CLASS OF 2021 NHL PLAYERS WHO SIGNED LENGTHY DEALS AND WHAT EACH STATUS WILL BE IN 10 YEARS Player Age 09/10 Cap # 20/21 Salary Ovechkin, Alexander 23 $9.538 M $10 M DiPietro, Rick 27 $4.5 M $4.5 M Richards, Mike 24 $5.750 M UFA Lecavalier, Vincent 29 $7.727 M UFA Zetterberg, Henrik 28 $6.083 M $1 M Franzen, Johan 29 $3.955 M UFA Hossa, Marian 30 $5.233 M $750,000 Luongo, Roberto 30 $7.5 M $1.618 M