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Just supposing the Vancouver Canucks win the cup, what does that mean to the Tampa Bay Lightning? It may represent a golden opportunity to nab the best goaltender in the game today.
Consider this, Luongo makes his home in Florida, his wife's home state. He has never said he wants to stay in Vancouver. He is a free agent in one year.
Why trade for an upcoming free agent? Workable opportunities to get the top guy don't come up more than once a career for most GMs. Actually landing him is rarer. Wayne Gretzky wanted to go to Vancouver to center Bure, but Vancouver's management soured the deal. Think they regret that? Did they get a second chance?
What would be required to do it? Besides an iron will and the second pick overall you would need to package up some salaries for Vancouver to accept. Some other salaries would have to go, too.
Why would Vancouver do it? They have another goalie, a youngster named Schnieder, who might be ready to play some games on his way to the starting job. Back-up and local boy Jason Labarbera could start or they could bring in a mentoring free agent.
The key for Vancouver would be the second overall pick. Hedman and Duchene will likely be availible, both would fit. Hedman could follow the same path Edler travelled to the NHL with Ohlund (if he resigns) as mentor.
As well, Vancouver won't have cap space to sign the Sedin twins if Toronto drives the price up. Luongo's salary off the books would solve that problem.
This supposition is based on the premise that the Canucks can overcome Chicago, Detroit and then the Eastern champions (Bruins, I bet) to win the cup. If they do, Tampa can win,too.
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