NHL Playoffs 2012: Roberto Luongo Could Be Traded This Summer

Cory Schneider will start in goal for the Vancouver Canucks in tonight's decisive Game 4 instead of franchise starter Roberto Luongo, and this could be a foreshadowing of things to come.

An interesting report by Eric Duhatschek of The Globe and Mail  implies that tonight's goaltending decision could also have future implications.

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Ultimately, the Canucks will need to make an organizational decision about their net-minding direction over the summer, and the decision to opt for the youthful Schneider over the veteran Luongo may be a hint to how they’re leaning. For contractual reasons, it is unlikely that they can hold onto both players, meaning the choices are either to retain Luongo, who turned 33 earlier this month and has been their starter for the past six years, or turn the job over to Schneider, 26, who has been patiently apprenticing in the organization for the past four.

The fact that the Canucks have turned to Schneider in back-to-back games suggests they believe he gives them the best chance of winning—and in an organization hungry for the Stanley Cup, that is a telling development.

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With Cory Schneider earning back-to-back starts, it shows more than just a leap of faith. He is a restricted free agent and has proven he has what it takes to start in this league. 

During the season, Schneider was a lights-out goaltender and posted a 20-8-1 record with a 1.96 GAA and three shutouts in 33 starts. These numbers are pretty solid for a backup, and considering the amount of teams looking for a goalie this summer, it is conceivable, given Vancouver's financial bind, that a team like the Tampa Bay Lightning could attempt an offer sheet for Schneider.

There is the possibility that Mike Gillis could flip Schneider for a nice package, because there is no way he will lose such a valuable trading chip for nothing.

If the Canucks decided to hold onto Schneider and deal Luongo, they could run into a potential snag.

The report later breaks down Luongo's deal.

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Luongo's contract has six years left at $6.714 million in actual dollars out, and then it falls off the cliff after that in the final four ($3.382-million; $1.61-million; two final years at $1-million).

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While similar lengthy contracts like Jeff Carter's (twice) and Mike Richards have been dealt, Luongo is older than the two players in question. His current deal would expire at age 42. There aren't many teams willing to invest in an unproven playoff goaltender with such a lengthy contract, but there is always at least one or two teams that will line up.

In this situation, it appears that the Canucks are not only putting their faith in Schneider tonight, but in the future as well.

It is not a crazy decision. Schneider has developed and worked on his game for the past four years and could finally be ready to hold onto the job permanently. The Canucks have won the President's Trophy in back-to-back seasons, and may end up having nothing of value to show for it. 

The Vancouver Canucks are on the verge of elimination tonight. The fact that Roberto Luongo is not in net should tell you everything you need to know about his status with the team. No matter his record or how he has played this series, franchise goalies are supposed to play in the big games no matter what.

Tom Urtz Jr. is an NHL Featured Columnist.

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