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It isn’t often you hear a hockey player curse his $64-million contract or see a general manager frustrated over his inability to trade a three-time All-Star, but as you may have surmised, the Roberto Luongo soap opera isn’t exactly a routine situation.

Routine, in fact, left town about 10 months ago when the Vancouver Canucks decided to trade the best goalie in the franchise’s history. On Wednesday, the trade deadline came and went, producing 17 deals involving six goalies and, of course, the biggest news of the day was the ‘keeper who didn’t move: our man Luongo.

That development, in turn, produced drama by the truckload; emotionally charged press conferences with Luongo and Gillis; and enough sound bites to keep everyone in the media happy until Canada Day.

What it didn’t produce, however, was a trade and, as much as we’re a fan of Wednesday’s theatre, the Canucks’ problem remains the same today, as it was yesterday and as it was back in the summer.

How do they trade the goalie with a millstone of a contract?

Check that. The real problem is how do they trade the goalie with a millstone of a contract and get something back? Gillis say Luongo’s deal hasn’t been an issue in any trade discussions.

Luongo said: “My contract sucks. That’s what the problem is. Unfortunately it’s a big factor in trading me, and it’s a big factor in why I’m still here.”

So which characterization is accurate? Well, if Luongo’s contract isn’t the problem, you can ask why hasn’t he been traded? And that’s the question which will continue to be asked until this mess is resolved.

“I think he was very emotional and I think these days are emotional for everybody,” Gillis said in response to Luongo’s bombshell of a quote.

“When you have a day like this when your whole life could be turned upside down and you speak to you guys right after, I think there’s an opportunity for things to be said that, in the clear light of day, might not be reflective of how he really feels.”

Or maybe all that emotion burned through the filters and the result was an honest answer. It’s hard to say. What isn’t hard to say is Luongo is still a Canuck and that creates more than a few issues for the organization.

Gillis, of course, understands everything in play. He clearly wants to do right by Luongo, but he also wants a return for the organization. As the GM said, the two don’t always line up.

“We’ve been doing that for six months; trying to put him in the best situation, trying to put our team in the best situation,” Gillis said. “Occasionally, they’re in conflict.”

But how does that change this summer? Who’s going to step up and make a hockey trade for Luongo in July who wouldn’t in March? The Canucks maintain there is a market and if they can get a respectable return for Luongo, it will be a massive home run for the organization.

But if that market doesn’t materialize and Luongo hasn’t been moved by July, this could get ugly.

On Wednesday, Luongo seemed to indicate he’d welcome a move almost anywhere at this point.

“I was never approached about a trade and said no,” Luongo said. “If that would have happened I would have said yes, obviously.”

Later he said: “Nothing ever materialized to the point where I had to make a decision whether or not I was going to wave (his no-trade clause).”

Luongo’s agent Gilles Lupien said the same thing on Wednesday before he declined to discuss the matter in further detail.

Gillis, for his part, said Luongo has been involved in the process and there have been discussions. It’s probably all a matter of semantics — What’s a discussion? What’s a formal offer? — but it also leaves the parties in exactly the same place.

The sense here is Gillis could have traded Luongo at the deadline if he was willing to come down — OK, way down — on his asking price. He didn’t, and that’s left the Canucks with the highest-paid backup goalie in the game.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing. On Tuesday, Gillis swung a killer deal for Derek Roy that addressed the Canucks’ greatest need. Over the next 10 days, the team will also be getting back Ryan Kesler, Zack Kassian and Dale Weise which should make for a formidable lineup.

A Luongo trade wasn’t going to add anything meaningful to the team for this playoff run. Will it this summer?

You just hope that question is finally answered.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.04.2013

667986 Vancouver Canucks

Money can't buy Luongo's happiness

By Jason Botchford, The Province April 3, 2013

A $64-million contract can buy a player a lot of things, but playing time isn’t one of them.

Neither is happiness.

Roberto Luongo is lacking both, something he detailed in an awkwardly human, emotionally raw press conference that he handled like he’s handled everything else this year — beautifully.

In a few days, the humiliation of feeling unwanted will fade. In a few months, he will be traded — we think — and all of this will be a bitter memory, one he will use to fuel the next chapter of his career.

There was something wrong about seeing Luongo Wednesday at the podium, humbled and forced to explain what it felt like not to be traded. It couldn’t have been easy explaining that no one really wanted him.

His honesty was exhilarating, however, especially when he declared he’d annul his contract if the CBA allowed for it.

“My contract sucks,” he said. “That’s what the problem is. Unfortunately, it’s a big factor in trading me. And it’s why I’m still here.

“I’d scrap it if I could right now.”

Despite all the millions he’s made, and will make, to hear him describe his 12-year, $64-million deal as an anchor provided a keyhole into his heart and soul.

He wants to play, desperately so, and who among us who has ever played a sport at any level can’t relate with that?

It was hard not to feel some sympathy for Lu, especially when he admitted his pride was dented because the bidding war he expected in the offseason never materialized. Not then, and not on Wednesday before the noon deadline.

It leaves a situation no one wanted, or thought possible, a year ago. Luongo will be a Canuck for the rest of the season.

Of course, things could have been different. Maybe if he was less loyal, and more of a malcontent he’d have what he craves. Maybe if was more about himself and less about the team, he’d be a clear-cut starter again.

“I’m not disappointed in the way I handled the situation,” Luongo said. “I tried to handle it the right way and not create any negative energy around the team. I don’t regret the way I handled things.”

The Canucks put on a big push to move him in the final hour, making several calls to the Toronto Maple Leafs. But every time they called, the Leafs changed what they were willing to give up for him. One time it was nothing but a prospect. On the next call, it was only a player. Then it was just draft picks.

In the end, the Canucks asked for backup goalie Ben Scrivens and two second-round draft picks. Toronto still said no. That offer leaked out hours later.

As if Luongo’s pride hasn’t taken enough of a hit.

It leaves you wondering how serious the Leafs were, and if a lot of their alleged interest in Luongo was really a put on or a long con. If it was, and they were sure to always keep the dialogue going, that’s quite the emotional mudslide they dragged Luongo through.

“It has been an emotional ride the last year,” he said. “I think it is more the unknown that has gotten to me more than anything else. I’m human, and sometimes it gets to you.”

Both Luongo and GM Mike Gillis held press conferences when it was over, making Wednesday possibly the first time ever there were duelling pressers in Rogers Arena to explain why a player wasn’t traded.

Something in them felt a little cheap when it turned into ‘he said, he said’ territory over the issue of Luongo’s no-trade clause.

Luongo said he was never presented with a trade. But Gillis said they did have discussions about whether he’d be willing to waive his NTC, suggesting it was actually a bigger issue than his contract.

“I’ve never been told there was a stumbling block (with his contract),” Gillis said. “The discussions we’ve had didn’t surround a stumbling block, they surrounded players, draft picks, places where he might go. Those were bigger hurdles than discussions about his contract.”

Really, they were both right. At the draft, talks between the Canucks and the Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets were moving past toddler stage, and Vancouver wanted to know if Luongo would be willing to waive. At the time, he still believed Florida was going to come hard for him, and said no. It essentially ended talks at the draft with any team but the Panthers.

Months later, when the Florida push never materialized, Luongo was open to places like Toronto. But even then Toronto and Vancouver could never consummate a deal.

It may never have been possible.

“Obviously, in the last couple of weeks things have been emotionally tough for me as far as where I’m going,” Luongo said. “But now I can really make sure I’m focusing on the right thing.”

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.04.2013

667987 Vancouver Canucks

Kuzma: Canucks make switch from mundane to high octane

By Ben Kuzma, The Province April 3, 2013

First came The Coin.

Now comes The Switch.

From deciding which goaltender to play, to deciding what style of play would allow the injury-ravaged Vancouver Canucks to withstand their version of Survivor, the club can look at the newly acquired Derek Roy and the newly healed Ryan Kesler and look at the game differently.

From passive to pushing the pace; from defence first to offence first.

To drawing penalties and actually converting those opportunities.

Imagine that?

“For sure,” said winger Chris Higgins, who signed a four-year, $10-million extension Tuesday that has a partial no-movement clause.

“Look at all the points Kes and Derek have put up in the past, and that will help get our offence going. And that little breath of fresh air with Derek, it should be interesting to see how it develops.

“It’s a lot more fun when you’re scoring goals, and we’re not used to putting up one or two a game and only coming out on top if our goalies play well.”

With Roy centering Higgins and Jannik Hansen at practice Wednesday — and Kesler working between Mason Raymond and either Alex Burrows or Zack Kassian, when the former Selke Trophy winner returns for the stretch drive after fracturing his right foot and Raymond mends a shoulder strain — the Canucks believe they can contend in the wild West.

Even without physical wingers Ryane Clowe and Raffi Torres, who they tried to land at the NHL trade deadline. And even with conference rivals adding to their arsenals, with Jason Pominville going to Minnesota and Marian Gaborik to Columbus.

“Pominville was our captain in Buffalo and is a great leader and a good player with a good shot, and Gaborik obviously has tremendous speed,” said the diminutive Roy, an unrestricted free agent who was acquired from Dallas on Tuesday for a second-round 2013 draft pick and minor-league defenceman Kevin Connauton.

“They’re two good players, and that might give them a resurgence.”

The Canucks hope they can say the same. In Roy, they get a small but quick and crafty playmaker who had four goals and 18 assists in 30 games with the Stars this season. Although far removed from 32-, 28- and 22-goal seasons with the Sabres, the 5-foot-8 centre has played in 41 playoff games and knows what awaits.

“It’s a grind, and you have to stay even-keeled,” said the 29-year-old Ottawa native.

“It’s mostly about how hard are you going to work at the system, and how you’re going to listen to the coach. I just have to play my game. Set up plays and score, use my linemates, get to the net and do all the little things that win games.

“I played against Higgins a lot when he was in Montreal, and he’s a good player who works hard, makes nice moves and finds his linemates. We’re going to have to talk a lot and keep a lot of communication lines open and know what we’re doing on the ice.”

Roy worked the second power-play unit Wednesday with Higgins and rookie Nicklas Jensen, and anything that improves the 29th-ranked power play is a plus. Henrik Sedin was between Burrows and Hansen on the first unit with Daniel Sedin and Jason Garrison on the points.

“Derek is going to be a big help to us on the power play and five-on-five,” predicted Henrik. “Getting Kes back and with Derek, they’re point-a-game guys and it’s also going to put guys back into positions where they feel comfortable. We’ve played shorthanded most of the year, and people don’t realize what we’ve been through. Through injuries we got worse.”

The Canucks now believe they’re better. How much better remains to be seen. They need Kesler’s two-way dominance and Kassian’s single focus after being recalled Wednesday from the Chicago Wolves after he got what the Canucks called more “seasoning.” They need more great goaltending and a better overall push.

Roy is a step in the right direction, according to Higgins.

“Smart. Savvy,” he said. “He makes really good passes over the blueline and makes that pass when some players have to chip it in — he can make that and wins a lot of puck battles.”

Kesler is out of his protective boot and was doing off-ice drills Wednesday. He’s expected to skate soon and Raymond’s status is list as day-to-day. And if Kassian can develop more professionalism, who knows what may develop in this bunch?

“When we’re healthy we’re a good team,” said Canucks coach Alain Vigneault. “Sometimes your personnel permits you to play one way or it permits you to play another way to win games.”

The improving roster is starting to dictate an uptempo approach is on the horizon. And with the Edmonton Oilers here Thursday, maybe it’s time to mash that gas pedal and get off the brakes.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.04.2013

667988 Vancouver Canucks

Gallagher: Scrap that sucky contract? Not likely for Luongo

By Tony Gallagher, The Province April 3, 2013

VANCOUVER, CANADA - JANUARY 31: A male fan of Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks holds a sign n the stands during the game against the Minnesota Wild at General Motors Place on January 31, 2009 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Minnesota won 4-3 in overtime.

When Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis said that Roberto Luongo may have said some things that in the light of day he might not express the same way in less stressful conditions, he may have had a point.

Luongo said he would “scrap” his contract if he could, and that his “contract sucks” given the situation he found himself in Wednesday afternoon when he remained a Canuck when he probably had high hopes his situation would clear up and he’d be able to take over as a starter with another team.

Of course, there is a way Lui could actually have a chance to have his bluff called and scrap his contract. It won’t happen, but if this contract were in fact as onerous as people claim it is, Luongo could get himself free.

It could (but it won’t, of course) happen this way. Lui could tell the Canucks he’s fed up and that he won’t be reporting this summer, or even now were he so disposed. The Canucks could then put him on $125 unconditional waivers for purposes of his release and wait. If nobody claimed him (as so many doomsday types think could happen) they could send him notice that his contract has been terminated and he would then be an unrestricted free agent. Ergo, his contract is scrapped.

Won’t happen for a myriad of reasons of course, but Lui had perhaps be a little more careful about his livelihood, because if his contract is as sucky as he and so many of Wednesday commentators were saying, it’s not completely impossible he would have that opportunity.

In reality, if Luongo didn’t want to face another season of this and refused to report, the team would suspend him, not have to pay him, and wait until he got tired of waiting. So he won’t be doing that, it would take all the financial pressure off Vancouver. But if he wanted to be true to his emotional word of Wednesday, he could do it.

In reality, if worse comes to worse, the Canucks can put him on regular waivers this summer because he does not have a “no movement” clause and he would almost certainly be claimed. If somehow the goaltending market became so clogged with unrestricted free agents Mike Smith, Niklas Backstrom and other cheaper bodies floating around that he wasn’t claimed, the Canucks could always take difficult contracts back. The whole notion of buyout which keeps being mentioned is so far down the pecking order it’s laughable.

“At the time it was done, it was very favourable for this organization and very favourable for Roberto,” Gillis said of the contract.

“The top teams in the league that were competing for Stanley Cups did contracts like this for franchise players. I still don’t think it’s as hard as people want to make it out to be. As we move along, I think we’re going to be able to accommodate Roberto’s needs and our needs.”

Gillis has been saying this now for a long, long time, and there’s no question he’s misread the market. The lockout and subsequent short season, the league’s obsession with parity where everyone is all in a gaggle after just 30 games hasn’t helped of course, but asking less sooner was clearly the way to go. But hindsight is easy.

But as much as this may have been a blow to Luongo’s ego that the teams haven’t been lined up to grab him, it’s been Gillis’ respect for him as a goalie which has caused him always to try to get for the team for what he thought Lui was worth.

It’s clear the rest of the league isn’t as high on the player as Gillis is against the backdrop of this contract, no matter what anyone thinks of it.

And he’s been dealing with strange teams too. The Leafs had trouble making a decision, and how else do you explain Philly going for Steve Mason in their never-ending quest for goaltending?

Given the Canucks weren’t going to get the solid winger they had hoped to land Wednesday in this deal anyway, handing him away for nothing now made no sense as long as Lui stays professional.

And evidently they’re pretty confident that will be the case.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.04.2013

667989 Washington Capitals

Washington Capitals trade for Martin Erat, part with prospect Filip Forsberg

By Katie Carrera,

Thirty-six games into this shortened season, the Washington Capitals sit in a rather unremarkable position, having only just reached the NHL’s version of .500. But while their year has largely been defined by inconsistencies, injuries and various other roadblocks, over the past two weeks the Capitals have begun to see the potential they believed was there from the beginning.

Predominantly healthy for the first time all season, Washington went 5-1-1 in its seven games prior to the NHL trade deadline on Wednesday, and catapulted itself from the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings to two points out of the Southeast Division lead.

So when the deadline arrived, General Manager George McPhee opted not to subtract a single player, but to trade a top prospect and add a top-six winger. The move made the clear statement that the Capitals believe they have a shot at winning in the present, even if this season so far hasn’t gone the way they scripted it.

“You’re here to win. We’ve been in that mode for a while. This is six years of trying to win a Cup,” McPhee said. “We had our rebuild phase, we sort of rebuilt things on the fly here, but we’d like to continue to make the playoffs while we’re doing it.”

Washington traded highly regarded 2012 first-round draft pick Filip Forsberg to the Nashville Predators for veteran winger Martin Erat, who has recorded at least 49 points in eight consecutive seasons prior to this shortened year, and a minor-league prospect, Michael Latta.

Shipping out Forsberg, 18, the organization’s second best prospect, is at odds with what has been McPhee’s long-view approach since the 2004-05 lockout of building through the draft and carefully grooming young players. But in this case, future risk was worth bolstering Washington’s present depth at wing, McPhee said.

“They’re never easy decisions. It takes some guts to do deals sometimes,” McPhee said. “With respect to giving up young players, you’ve got to be careful doing that, but we’ve drafted well enough that we can do it. And I wanted to help this team now.”

Erat, 31, should do just that. The Czech native, who was tied for Nashville’s scoring lead with 21 points and recorded no less than 49 points in each of the past eight seasons, will ideally slot into a top-six role for the Capitals. He has two years remaining on his current contract with a salary cap hit of $4.5 million per season.

Erat waived a no-movement clause in order to join the Capitals, saying he wants to play for a team that’s a contender.

“I was getting older,” said Erat, who could wind up as Washington’s top-line left wing. “I don’t have seven, eight years to wait for another chance.”

McPhee said he “wasn’t interested” in trading any of Washington’s pending unrestricted free agent —, including veteran center Mike Ribeiro or gritty Matt Hendricks — because he didn’t believe it would send the message, publicly or to the team, that the goal is to win now.

Those postseason aspirations and expectations are the same things the players hold for themselves. Before the trade deadline passed, several Capitals said they hoped management would show the confidence in the current roster to help it fight for that opportunity.

“I think we have a good thing going here. Close to our division, close to making the playoffs,” said Ribeiro, who has confidence in Washington’s improved play. “We know how good we can be and how to play when we win and now it’s just a matter of keep doing it.”

Ribeiro, 33, was confident earlier in the day Wednesday that he wouldn’t be traded but added that he wasn’t on the verge of re-signing with Washington. He isn’t focused on a contract extension now, though, but simply helping the Capitals find a way to succeed.

“I hope to go all in because I don’t ever want to write off a season or anything like that,” defenseman Karl Alzner said. “The fact that we’re on the upswing right now and playing good hockey, it doesn’t matter where we finish.”

As the Capitals and the entire NHL have learned in recent seasons, where a team ends up in the regular season isn’t necessarily an indication of how it might fare in the postseason. Find a way into the playoffs, and anything is possible.

With 12 games remaining, a sixth consecutive postseason berth seems well within Washington’s reach. The Capitals not only sit two points back of division-leading Winnipeg, but they also have two games in hand, making a fifth division title in the past six years a genuine possibility.

Washington’s remaining regular season games include plenty of winnable matchups — four games against teams currently out of the playoff picture, along with games against fellow bubble teams the New York Islanders and Winnipeg Jets. Even though they face teams comfortably in a playoff spot six times, given the way the Capitals appear to be finding their stride under Coach Adam Oates, winning two out of every three games the rest of the way doesn’t seem all that far fetched.

Certainly not to McPhee at least. After his deadline-day addition of Erat, his directive is in full view — win now.

“As players, that’s our only priority is this year — right now and making the playoffs,” Troy Brouwer said. “We squeezed into the playoffs last year and had a good opportunity to make a deep run. . . . This year is no different; I think we have a better team this year than we did last year. I think we sputtered a little bit at the beginning of the season, but we have all the pieces that we need to be a good, competitive team in the playoffs.”