Roberto Luongo News: Pro Sports Daily

Luongo returns, Canucks fall to Red Wings

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November 13

Vancouver Province

"They outworked the Red Wings for much of Thursday's game here, but the Vancouver Canucks couldn't beat their skill. Red Wings all-world forward Henrik Zetterberg scored a highlight reel goal at 8:00 of the third period to snap a 1-1 tie to put Detroit ahead for good. Zetterberg, in full flight, took a pass in the neutral zone from Brad Stuart and split the Canucks defence pair of Willie Mitchell and Kevin Bieksa before taking goaltender Roberto Luongo wide to the right and depositing a backhander under the crossbar in a play that only a handfull of players in the league could pull off. Zetterberg also set up the Wings first goal 17:31 into the first— another beauty — as Tomas Holmstrom ..."

Luongo needs time, but Canucks can't wait

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November 12

Vancouver Sun

"The landing conditions were almost perfect. The Vancouver Canucks were winning and getting terrific goaltending from the replacements. Roberto Luongo wasn't the only impact player returning from injury. He was fit and ahead of schedule and able to pick his return date. It was a near-perfect scenario for the arrival back in the lineup of Luongo, who under conditions such as these could ease into his starting job without, at least initially, the impossible demand to play like Superman. That was a week ago. Then Luongo got the flu, which pushed back his return date. Daniel Sedin's recovery from a broken foot stalled, and the Canucks' best scorer went home. Then the Canucks, in an inexplicably ..."

Luongo, Brodeur remain prime Team Canada candidates

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November 12

Vancouver Province

"Roberto Luongo needn't be too concerned that his slow start, or missing the last two weeks with a rib injury, will hurt his chances of being one of the three goaltenders named to Canada's Olympic hockey team next month. For one, Canadian puck-stoppers haven't exactly been setting the NHL on fire through the first two months of the season. For another, Team Canada executive and Detroit GM Ken Holland says the early underwhelming stats from the core group of prospective netminders will have little to do with personnel decisions made by GM Steve Yzerman. The five goaltenders invited to the Team Canada summer camp in Calgary are led in individual stats by 37-year-old Martin Brodeur. Heading ..."

Canucks' Roberto Luongo OK to play — but not to start?

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November 10

Vancouver Sun

"Vancouver Canuck goalie Roberto Luongo will be in the lineup and on the bench tonight to back up Andrew Raycroft against the St. Louis Blues. The question is: Why? Luongo and coach Alain Vigneault agree that it is too soon for him to start because he has had only one full practice since he left the lineup two weeks ago due to a fractured rib. They say he is able to back up, which is why minor-league callup Cory Schneider was returned earlier today to the Manitoba Moose. But since every goaltender will tell you that it is easier to start than to back up, with the uncertain prospect of going into a game cold, are the Canucks taking more of risk by having Luongo on the bench instead of in ..."

Luongo won't start in St. Louis

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November 10

Vancouver Province

"Caution has replaced optimism as Roberto Luongo and Daniel Sedin won't play Tuesday in St. Louis, despite progress in recovering from rib and foot injuries respectively. They could play Thursday in Detroit. Luongo recovered from a 48-hour flu virus and practised fully for the first time Monday since suffering a hairline rib fracture Oct. 24. But sharpening his technical game and dealing with muscle soreness will place the Vancouver Canucks starting goaltender in a backup role to Andrew Raycroft against the Blues. That scenario would also return Cory Schneider to the Manitoba Moose. "Obviously, there's a little soreness there because the muscles haven't been worked that much, but if it ..."

Canucks' Roberto Luongo back practising with team today

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November 9

Vancouver Sun

"Injured goalie Roberto Luongo practised today and believes he'll be able to back up Andrew Raycroft Tuesday when the Vancouver Canucks visit the St. Louis Blues. But winger Daniel Sedin skipped practice due to soreness in his broken foot and is unlikely to play in St. Louis, although coach Alain Vigneault said it's possible Sedin could be in the lineup if he has a good morning skate and convinces Vigneault he's ready.. Luongo, who spent the weekend in his Dallas hotel room with a "48-hour virus", hasn't played in two weeks due to a fractured rib. Today's workout prior to the Canucks' flight to St. Louis was Luongo's first full practice with teammates. He spent 30 minutes before the regular ..."

Canuck goalie Roberto Luongo may be down with flu

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November 8

Vancouver Sun

"On the verge of returning from a rib injury, Vancouver Canuck goalie Roberto Luongo may now have the flu and probably won't make a planned return to the lineup Tuesday in St. Louis. Luongo did not practise with teammates Sunday and coach Alain Vigneault said the Canuck captain was sick. He did not, however, rule out the possibility that Luongo could practise here today. Canuck Steve Bernier missed games Thursday and Friday due to what the team believes was seasonal flu, but practised Sunday and expects to play in St. Louis."

Luongo feeling sick, misses practice

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November 8

Vancouver Province

"The surprise was supposed to be a Daniel Sedin sighting. Instead, it was a no-show by Roberto Luongo at practice Sunday that stole the show. "He's a little under the weather and stayed back at the hotel," said Vancouver Canucks coach Alain Vigneault. "He started not feeling well yesterday (Saturday) and we'll see how he's doing tomorrow. If he's not better, we'll fly him later into St. Louis." Luongo is also recovering from a hairline rib fracture suffered Oct. 24 when he absorbed a Niklas Hagman shot in the third period against Toronto. He had been taking practice shots in hopes of returning to the lineup this week, but Tuesday now seems a stretch and perhaps Thursday in Detroit might be ..."

Luongo on recovery road

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November 3

Vancouver Province

"In Roberto they may soon trust. Roberto Luongo skated with goaltender coach Ian Clark on Monday morning and coach Alain Vigneault hinted that the Canucks starter may be close to recovering from a hairline fracture of a rib on his left side. Luongo suffered the ailment absorbing a Niklas Hagman sharp-angle shot against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 24. The Canucks leave Wednesday for a five-game road trip and Luongo could see some action at some point. "Anybody that comes on that trip is going to be someone who has a chance to play and I think Louie might have a chance somewhere," said Vigneault. "We'll see how it goes in the next couple of days." Grabner's ankle Vigneault isn't a doctor, ..."

Canucks' Luongo out at least a week with a cracked rib

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October 29

Vancouver Sun

"Just as there are no harmless bombs, pain-free taxes or vasectomies, or foolproof lion-tamers, there is no such thing as a "minor injury" to Roberto Luongo. Maybe you've heard: the Vancouver Canuck goalie has a cracked rib. He hopes to play next week. But his absence creates a potentially major problem for the National Hockey League team. It's not that backup goalie Andrew Raycroft isn't capable. True, Raycroft's start Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings is his first this season. But he made 31 appearances last season with the Colorado Avalanche and only three years ago logged 72 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The problem is Luongo has shown several times that the consequence of not ..."

Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo out indefinitely with cracked rib

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October 29

Vancouver Province

"Call him Captain Courageous. Or Captain Crunched. Or Captain Cautious. Despite a hairline fracture of a rib on his left side — an ailment Roberto Luongo suffered absorbing a Niklas Hagman sharp-angle shot against Toronto last Saturday — the Vancouver Canucks' starting goaltender played two more games before realizing he couldn't play the pain game Thursday night in Los Angeles or Friday in Anaheim. Backup Andrew Raycroft will get the call both nights, while Cory Schneider has been recalled from the Manitoba Moose as Luongo ponders his playing fate. This development is significant because it represents some managerial smarts in acquiring Raycroft in the offseason, a free agent so anxious to ..."

Canucks' Roberto Luongo has a cracked rib, out indefinitely

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October 28

Vancouver Sun

"Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo has a cracked rib and will be out of the team's lineup until the pain is manageable. Luongo sustained the injury on Saturday vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was not at practice this morning amid reports he had suffered an injury in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Luongo completed Tuesday's game, but allowed four goals in the third period after a heavy mid-game collision with former Canuck Todd Bertuzzi. Bertuzzi was knocked into Luongo by Canuck defenceman Alex Edler. The impact appeared to jar Luongo's shoulder and arm."

Luongo is Canucks' franchise shutout leader with win over Oilers

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October 26

Vancouver Province

"With the visitors caught up in a cacophony of coughing from fighting the flu, the Vancouver Canucks were again caught up in fighting the stigma that they're a one-line team — even with five forwards sidelined by injury. One thing the Canucks have clearly become is a one-goalie team. And nobody is complaining about that. In a 2-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday at GM Place, the question was supposed to be how the team would react to losing yet another forward — this time Kyle Wellwood to a broken toe — in quest of more scoring. The answer was to play better defensively and allow Roberto Luongo to pass Kirk McLean as the franchise leader in shutouts with his 21st goosegg as a ..."

Nonis gets goalie's nod

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October 25

Toronto Sun

"Email StoryPrintSize A A AReport TypoShare with: FacebookDiggDel.icio.usGoogleStumble UponNewsvineRedditTechnoratiFeed MeYahooSimpySquidooSpurlBlogmarksNetvouzScuttleSitejot What are these? VANCOUVER -- Roberto Luongo does not know the ins and outs of any tampering charges or supposed "he-said, she-said" allegations between the Vancouver Canucks and Maple Leafs organizations. In fact, this is one Canuck who always will be indebted to a member of the Leafs front office. Namely, David Nonis, the right-hand man of team president Brian Burke. "I always had a tremendous amount of respect for him," Luongo said of Nonis. Luongo has good reason to heap such heady praise at Nonis. This was ..."

Bitter memory of Chi-town meltdown lingers for Luongo

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October 21

Vancouver Province

"Although Roberto Luongo moved on from That Night in Chicago a few months ago, he hasn't forgotten. That will take time. Maybe an Olympic gold medal and several playoff rounds, too. To see if any of that happens, we will have to wait. For now, Luongo will take a win. The Canucks are still without one on the road. There would be no better place for them to get it than Chicago. "There's always a little something the year after," Luongo said. "A couple of years ago, every time we played Anaheim, we always had that little extra jump just because they were the team that eliminated you. I'm sure all the guys are hungry to get back out there and play in Chicago." Safe to say, no one is hungrier ..."

Roberto Luongo, Canucks seek redemption against Blackhawks

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October 21

Vancouver Sun

"It was never precisely clear to whom Roberto Luongo was apologizing five months ago when he hastily excused himself from the post-game press conference here so he could weep more privately in the Vancouver Canucks' dressing room. "I'm sorry, guys," is all he said. He seemed to be speaking to reporters. But it could have been to his teammates, Canuck fans, the hockey world or the entire human race. Luongo's crime against humanity? He allowed seven goals in the biggest game of his National Hockey League career as the Canucks choked away a second-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Hague hasn't yet offered an opinion. Just about everybody else has. Luongo ..."

Urgency key as Canucks try to weather injury storm

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October 16

Vancouver Province

"Like there was a swipe of a scythe, the Vancouver Canucks have had the top of their lineup lopped off because of injuries. When it happens — and it's happened often to the Canucks — what follows is disappointment, then fear, unease and finally urgency. To Roberto Luongo, these are all good things. Because they tend to breed diligence, defensive commitment and desperation. It's the kind of hockey which, in the past, has allowed him to thrive. "I think it's going to challenge us to play the kind of hockey we need to be playing," Luongo said. "That's a good defensive game. That's making sure we don't give the opposition anything. And then we have to take advantage of our chances when we do ..."

Luongo looks to Hockey Philosophy 101 to explain poor start

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October 7

Vancouver Province

"Roberto Luongo started the season trying to save the world. He'll settle now for saving a shot. Or about 30 of them. Planet Earth will have to find someone else. Mentally taking a step back and a deep breath Tuesday, the Vancouver Canucks goalie recognized he plays on the ice and not in comic books. He can't do it all. He woke up to that revelation Tuesday, as well as the conclusion things could be worse. At least it's not May. Because as much as people want to judge Luongo now, it's not the way he starts the season that matters. It's the way he ends it. For the second year in a row, Luongo was hooked in the third game of the year Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He had a bad ..."

Luongo pulled in Canucks' 5-3 loss to Columbus Blue Jackets

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October 6

Vancouver Province

"Instead of forgetting the Chi-town meltdown that ended their playoff run last spring, the Canucks keep trying to relive it. From the turnstile defence, to the sloppy back checks, to the surrendering of odd-man rushes, to the confused, hesitant star goalie who can't make a big save and is unsure whether to challenge the shooter, play the backdoor, or scream: "I'm an Olympian, get me out of here." All that was missing were the tears. Sure, the Canucks have added a few wrinkles this season. They have a disoriented Russian rookie. And their points leader is Willie Mitchell. But the rest, as seen in Monday's 5-3 loss to Columbus, seems just the way we left it. It leaves the Canucks with three ..."

Blue Jackets beat Vancouver Canucks 5-3 in home opener, Luongo pulled

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October 6

Vancouver Sun

"Let's look on the bright side. The Vancouver Canucks now have an opportunity to make a little history. Not the kind of history they'd like, mind you. In 38 previous seasons, the Canucks have never begun a new campaign with four straight losses in regulation. Now they have their chance. The Canucks fell to 0-3 Monday night, dropping a 5-3 decision to the Columbus Blue Jackets in their home opener at General Motors Place. Any hope that the Canucks would discover their game at home after opening the season with lacklustre losses in Calgary and Denver was put to rest early in the second period when the Blue Jackets scored on their first three shots of the middle frame and chased Vancouver ..."

Luongo razor-sharp in Canucks win over Anaheim

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September 18

Vancouver Province

"Michael Grabner was hoping to be the story, Steve Bernier became a story until Roberto Luongo scripted his own success story for the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. Grabner managed three shots when aligned at even strength with Ryan Kesler and Mikael Samuelsson to make an impact in a pivotal preseason for the speedy prospect. Bernier scored once and had another goal disallowed, but it was Luongo who looked like he was going to steal the whole show by going the distance in a 3-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Luongo said the plan all along was to yield to Cory Schneider, even though the starter was sharp with a 19-save effort through 40 minutes. Not that Schneider would have been shocked if ..."

Luongo, Schneider an effective one-two punch as Canucks blank Ducks

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September 18

Vancouver Sun

"Cory Schneider is taking the Vancouver Canucks at their word, that the battle for the backup goalie position behind Roberto Luongo will be a true competition. If so, Schneider is off to a nice start. Although he has only mopped up in Vancouver's first two pre-season games and hasn't been especially busy in either, Schneider has been perfect. He hasn't given up a goal in about 50 minutes of action. Thursday night, he cleaned up after Roberto Luongo went two periods and preserved a 3-0 shutout win for the Canucks over the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center. "I obviously haven't been too busy, but the guys have done a great job and I've just made the saves when I needed to," Schneider said. ..."

Luongo will take Canucks to infinity and beyond

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September 5

Vancouver Province

columnist Tony Gallagher

"Since it became apparent Roberto Luongo was going to sign in Vancouver long-term some months back, there has been endless analysis of how the deal shapes up for both the player financially and the implications to the team's salary cap picture as the years proceed. There has been virtually no thought given to how this deal might influence Luongo and the team on the ice now that everyone knows he'll be here to infinity and beyond, to steal a line from cartoon character Buzz Lightyear. Suffice it to say it's hard to imagine how it won't be a big help. Every time Luongo would have a game in which he wasn't miraculous, out would come the usual charges that he's never won anything, never ..."

Pause for a clause

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September 4

Vancouver Province

"There was a lot of mutual admiration expressed after Roberto Luongo signed a monster 12-year extension this week. Canucks GM Mike Gillis, who refused earlier this summer to give a similar deal to the Sedin twins, said Luongo was different. He was the right person, and the right player at the right position. The goalie heaped praise on Gillis and the Canucks. Luongo said he believed in Gillis's plan, and ownership, as he made what looked to be a full commitment to the city, where he was seemingly prepared to play out the rest of his career. It was all true. But only to a point. Every relationship has its limits -- and neither side in this marriage was prepared to fully lock in. The devil is ..."

'We love Vancouver,' so Luongo, Canucks make 12-year, $64m deal

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September 3

Vancouver Sun

"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 US 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 ..."

Roberto Luongo signs 12-year contract extension with Vancouver Canucks

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September 3

Vancouver Province

"Once the sour taste from last season's Round 2 exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs had left his mouth, Roberto Luongo started thinking about this year — and the next 11 or so. The Canucks' star goalie said he's ecstatic with the deal that was announced this morning, paying him $64 million over 12 years beginning with $10 million for the 2010-11 season, but which will only count $5.33 million a season against the salaray cap. Luongo is due to make $7.5 million this season ($6.75 cap hit), the last year of a four-year, $27-million deal he signed when he joined the Canucks. "I love playing in a passionate hockey city like Vancouver, and along with my teammates I am committed to doing ..."

Luongo agrees to 12-year extension

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September 2

TSN.ca

"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. RDS is reporting that the deal is worth $64 million. The deal will keep Luongo in Vancouver through the 2021-22 season. "This is a great day for me and my family," said Luongo in a press release. "I love playing in a passionate hockey city like Vancouver and along with my teammates I am committed to doing everything I can to help make this a championship team." Luongo had originally set a deadline of Sept. 13 to complete the deal, after which time he did not want the mid-season ..."

Canucks lock up Luongo long term

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September 2

Sportsnet.ca

"The Vancouver Canucks made sure Roberto Luongo would not test free agency next summer by locking up the all-star netminder for 12 years. "Today is a very exciting day for the Canucks organization," said 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." Luongo, 30, posted a record of 33-13-7 during the 2008-09 campaign, marking the fourth consecutive season that he has registered 30 or more wins."

Roberto Luongo's Canuck teammates delighted by contract extension reports

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September 2

Vancouver Sun

"The Vancouver Canucks and Roberto Luongo's agent Gilles Lupien remained under a cone of silence Tuesday but Canuck players heartily endorsed the club's impending long-term contract extension of its star goaltender. Canucks assistant GM Laurence Gilman offered "no comment" on the reported 12-year deal for $64 million US while Lupien did not return calls. "You've seen what Roberto has done for us all the years he's been with us," said defenceman Sami Salo following a brisk skate at UBC. "He's the No. 1 part of the group of this club." "He's a great leader, great teammate and everybody knows what he can do on the ice so we're really happy to have him back," added forward Alex Burrows. Ditto ..."

Canucks poised to announce Luongo deal

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September 1

Vancouver Province

"Maybe the Vancouver Canucks are waiting for GM Mike Gillis to return from a fishing trip before announcing anything, or for goalie Roberto Luongo to actually arrive in town, but reports Monday claimed the two sides have agreed on salary and term for a contract extension. Nothing new, really, that hasn't been reported in The Province before, but the story got new legs when sportsnet.ca posted it. Luongo, 30, is entering the last season of a four-year, $27-million US deal that in 2009-10 pays him $7.5 million (a cap hit of $6.75 million). Luongo had a 33-13 record with a 2.34 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and nine shutouts in 54 appearances last season."

Canucks GM Gillis won't confirm speculation about Luongo deal

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September 1

Vancouver Sun

"Internet speculation on a Roberto Luongo contract signing — fuelled by a Twitter missive attributed to the man himself — surged Monday night, but Vancouver Canuck general manager Mike Gillis wasn't taking the bait. Gillis was fishing in the Queen Charlotte Islands Monday, perhaps secure in the knowledge he has already landed the whopper — his goaltending captain. Gillis wouldn't comment on a report that the Canucks and their star netminder have reached agreement on a contract extension and that it will be announced before training camp opens Sept. 12. "I'm not confirming and I'm not commenting on that but I remain confident we'll have an agreement in place before training camp," Gillis ..."

Canucks GM Mike Gillis calls Luongo's contract deadline a "good thing"

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August 29

Vancouver Province

"Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis remains confident he will get a deal done with Roberto Luongo before the goalie's self-imposed deadline of Sept. 13. The Canucks and Luongo have been working toward a contract extension since July 1. Luongo told The Globe and Mail Wednesday: "If it doesn't happen before (the Sept. 13 start of training) camp, I will not be negotiating during the season. I don't want to have that distraction." Gillis responded Thursday, telling The Province: "It's fine. It's actually a good thing because it keeps everyone focused and working toward our goal." Gillis said both sides have been trying to get the deal ironed out before the start of camp. And the general manager ..."

Luongo, Canucks both want contract extension settled by start of training camp

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August 28

Vancouver Sun

"Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo has set a deadline of Sept. 12 on contract talks with the team … and general manager Mike Gillis wants a deal done by then, too. The 30-year-old stopper is in the final year of a four-year, $27-million US contract. He'll earn $7.5 million in 2009-10. "We're trying to get it done before camp," Luongo said Wednesday. "If it doesn't happen before camp, I will not be negotiating during the season. I don't want to have that distraction." Gillis responded Thursday by saying he also wants to get Luongo's deal done before training camp starts Sept. 12. "I have never talked about contract negotiations and I'm not going to now," Gillis said. "But I think ..."

Luongo puts deadline on contract talks

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August 27

The Globe and Mail

"The Vancouver Canucks and goaltender Roberto Luongo are under a Sept. 13 deadline to agree to new contract terms. Luongo, who is attending Hockey Canada's summer orientation camp for 2010 Olympic hopefuls, said he will not negotiate once the NHL team's training camp begins at the University of British Columbia next month. He said he is unwilling to let his expiring contract become a daily distraction. "We're trying to get it done before camp," Luongo said in Calgary yesterday. "If it doesn't happen before camp, I will not be negotiating during the season. I don't want to have that distraction." Yesterday, Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said a contract extension is not finished, but he ..."

Luongo and Brodeur: Different men, different goalies

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August 26

Vancouver Province

"It takes a lot of consideration and thought to fully understand the relationship between Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo when they get together for these international turnouts. For starters, they're both tremendous people with different personalities and, very importantly, radically different goaltending styles. Both have mountains of respect for what the other has accomplished, even if Brodeur's numbers look much better at this point. To get a sense of how they relate, you have to understand that Brodeur is outgoing and clearly enjoying the final few years of his Hall of Fame career. Luongo is still very much looking for the big prize that has eluded him. The fact they stop the puck in ..."

Sounds like Luongo wants to finish career in Vancouver

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August 25

Vancouver Province

"It would probably surprise nobody if Roberto Luongo were to fly directly to Vancouver Friday morning after the Olympic team orientation camp and announce he has forged a contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks. It may be done, but nobody is talking. Everyone is saying there is still work to do although nobody will talk about what work needs to be done. Canucks general manager Mike Gillis was spotted in Montreal last week where he met with Luongo and his Montreal agent, Gilles Lupien, with the intent of nailing down an agreement that would end all speculation about Luongo's future. When asked if he'd met face-to-face with Gillis, Luongo said he didn't want to get into it publicly. ..."

Olympics job is Luongo's to lose? Only time will tell

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August 25

Vancouver Sun

"The enduring snapshot of Roberto Luongo when the curtain fell on his 2008-09 hockey season: a man not given to shows of emotion, crying while trying to address the media after seven pucks got past him in Game 6 in Chicago. The taste left by that wild 7-5 playoff defeat didn't go away overnight. Standing with a handful of reporters at Calgary's international airport Monday morning, fans screaming for his autograph, cameras rolling, the Vancouver Canucks goalie was asked how long it took. "Probably 'til, like, yesterday," smiled the man who, unless the world goes to hell in a handcart between now and the end of the year, will be between the pipes — or awaiting his turn to do so — for Team ..."