Ugggggggh.... the negativity/stupidity is killing me. (Vancouver overall, not RS)

How can anyone BLAME Luongo? Yes, there were some goals in the series he should have had, but blaming the guy is ridiculous. The wrap around was a lucky bounce off the glass and he couldn't get there in time. That's it. What bothered me most about Luongo in this series was that each time we made a mistake - Mitchell, Kesler and Johnson not clearing the puck for example- it ended up in the back of the net. Seems to me he gets bothered so much by other people's mistakes he loses focus. That being said, blaming the guy is utterly ridiculous. Trading him as a result would be as well.

Patrick Kane was not defended against properly. We gave him way too much time and space. He was the difference last night and it was our D's fault for not making him pay each time he had the puck.

All in all, great season considering the outlook at the beginning. I wish Sundin was more of an impact and Demitra was certainly a disappointment IMO.

Ah well. I trust Gillis will make the right moves with the money he has to spend and improve our chances for next year. I also trust he will not bring in a new coach. I think AV is an excellent coach and shown it in this series. We played several styles of hockey very well in this series and I don't think too many coaches can say they can do that with their teams.

GO CANUCKS!

Our D core really needs a change
I expect to see Gillis plant a stud back there

The D played horrible. Can't blame Luongo for everything.

damn sad video seeing luongo like that

equipment sale!!!!

the equipment sales suck. they stuff aren't really that much cheaper

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...r-a-goaltender

As Roberto Luongo sat on the visitor’s bench in the United Centre shortly after the Vancouver Canucks were eliminated from the playoffs in a 7-5 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, he had a look of remorse etched underneath the mask still securely fastened to his head.

Unable to genuinely acknowledge the savvy of a young, fresh, and perhaps legitimate contender in Chicago in the post-game handshake, Luongo was left with thoughts of self-loathing.

"I think I let my teammates down tonight," Luongo said to a group of reporters. "It's something that's going to take a while to get over."

Of course, the way in which he conceded goals last night—he looked uncharacteristically slow on his posts and couldn’t properly gauge the Blackhawks’ rapidity—prompted questions about his future, and resurfaced doubts about his perception to deliver on the big stage.

With a 3.50 goals-against average and an. 879 save percentage in the playoffs, fans clearly didn’t see Luongo at full potential.

Despite the number of records posted in the regular-season as an NHL goalie in his career, his futile attempts to lift his team past the second round—albeit only having two opportunities to do so with the Canucks in the postseason—has also afflicted his being.

Given scepticism was rife in the West as to whether the Canucks would even qualify for the playoffs this year—and if the team had enough talent, it would be callous to rue their shortcomings.

But in the long-term scope, if one is to dissect the happenings of the Canucks’ 2008-09 season, Alain Vigneault position as head coach should be assessed. And if GM Mike Gillis wants a bona fide contender in Vancouver, he may see that Vigneault is no longer on the bench come next season.

After electing Luongo as captain in the absence and later departure of Markus Naslund in the off-season, Vigneault sparked debate in regards to a goaltender’s capacity to be a leader on the team.

This wasn’t a slight to Luongo himself; there was merely concern about the lack of a true leader on the bench in the heat of the moment, someone to dish orders, prod teammates and keep players focused on the task at hand—all of which could not be feasibly accomplished as a goalie trapped in the crease.

Sure, Mats Sundin was later added to the roster. But as a newly-introduced member of the team, he didn’t really have an idea of the team’s culture, let alone have time to readily assimilate into life in the west after living in the east for most of his career.

So Luongo had to deal with the brunt of media scrums. He had to ensure his voice was heard loud and clear in the dressing room. And he did adhere to his responsibilities as a leader, according to his fellow colleagues.

But in the playoffs, as Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau has denoted about his own goaltender in Simeon Varlamov, there is a tendency for the goalie to be left alone to mind his own thoughts.

Luongo himself may not believe in this superstition, but a goalie’s mentality is fragile and having to respond to media calls and other forms of dialogue in the dressing room can derail concentration.

Vigneault even vocalized a challenge to Luongo heading into Game Five, saying he was required to play at his best.

Was that necessary?

Vigneault seemed too reliant on Luongo as the quarterback of his team, where players like the Sedin twins and their Swedish compatriot Sundin had not played at par while Mattias Ohlund failed to assert himself as a top-four defenseman—all of whom, by the way, can exercise free agency come July 1.

So GM Gillis will have much to mull over in probing whom he wants to insert into his lineup next season.

And all else will follow accordingly if Luongo is simply called upon to play between the pipes, not to forge relationships with journalists.

"He's been exceptional for us, everyone knows what he means to our hockey club," Willie Mitchell said after the loss. "We win, we lose, everything we do is because of the team. It wasn't one play or one moment. It was multiple things that added up to failure.”

Unfortunately, it just wasn’t portrayed that way.







- I couldn't agree more with the Bruce Boudreau statement.

IMO the Luongo bashing is well warranted.

When you make $6+ million, it's only appropriate to have a higher degree of responsiblity for either success or failure. I just have a feeling that the reason this guy always gets a pass with a lot of the fans is because he's Roberto freaking Luongo.

It's funny back then when people were throwing Wellwood under the bus earlier. Lest the forget, he plays 3rd line minutes and makes $1 million only.

Then explain the massive lineups at every equipment sale they've had. If you're not a STH you're out of luck... but if you get into the sale within the first 10 minutes you'll snag something decent.

WTF does how much you make really have anything to do with it

Let's dump lu and pick up a briere or a lecavlier or a gomez and let's see them take us as far as luongo did

Fucking retards.

anyone else see this?
sucker punch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLnEDFaDEdA

Scott Walker's always been one of my favorite Canucks of the 90's and that sucker punch was uncharacteristic of him. He probably won't do it again and I agree with the NHL not suspending him. It's more of a punishment facing the Bruins again than the NHL hiding him in the press box.

whens the equipment sale!!

Go Wings go!!!!!!

man what a heart breaker no one could focus in class, there were several laptops streaming the game

guess im gonna be cheering for hawks, gotta admit they are pretty fun to watch

so dammm fast and run and gun style

^ Ditto

Ouch such a painful game with all the ups & downs... I felt so lifeless last night.

Of course I want the Hawks to win now! That way, the Canucks will have lost to the eventual champs. You don't wanna lose to a team that gets swept in the next round...

back and forth, back and forth!
It was hard to watch!

Seems like the most convenient reason when criticizing Naslund. Why wouldn't it be valid for Luongo? Because he's Roberto Luongo?

Watch who you call retard before that favour is returned to you :rolleyes:

man talegating at the Canes game now that would be fun. Anyone see that 60 of crown in the back ground half full lol

I would trade Lu this summer if he doesn't want to extend his contract. Might as well get something for him before he leaves on his own.

I REALLY hope that Gillis doesn't blow this team up and start all over and hopefully he can take all the negatives and find the players who can help eliminate those problems. He kept the team heading in the right direction. Be patient. It'll come!

It's all about subtle changes, not drastic "cup run in 2020" type changes.

By the way, anyone hear about Burke looking to make a big trade to get John Tavares from the Lighting?

Um, John Tavares from the Lightning? Tavares hasn't been drafted yet, and the Islanders have the first overall pick.

If they pick him.