[Rumour] Islanders interested in Luongo

[sureLoss]

per McKenzie:
Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 53s It's believed NYI would, under right circumstances, have interest in VAN G Roberto Luongo, tho 1st order of biz is to gauge cost on Nabokov.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 1m Nabokov is UFA. As for circumstances on Luongo, almost goes without saying it would mean VAN taking Rick DiPietro for compliance buyout.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 13s DiPietro's buyout is steep, $1.5M per year for next 16 years, not to be confused with Luongo's buyout #s: a shade over $1.5M x 18 years.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 38s No question in my mind Luongo is a good "hockey" fit for NYI but whether Isles or Canucks could ever finesse a workable deal is the issue.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

per McKenzie:
Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 53s It's believed NYI would, under right circumstances, have interest in VAN G Roberto Luongo, tho 1st order of biz is to gauge cost on Nabokov.

In return for Dipietro.
Edit: I just saw your edit. I was joking....

[Clever_Iggy]

Don't do it Garth. The Islanders finally took a step forward this season (two if you count cutting ties with the remaining 30 years of DiPietro's contract). This would be a few steps back.

[mdubz]

My Canuck fanboy buddy says the rumblings are Nino coming back to Van.

[nik-]

of course they are.

[DuffMan]

What if Tim Thomas showed up?

[kyuss275]

Does not make sense for Vancouver. Why would they want to buy out DiPietro when buying out Luongo is pretty much the same amount of money?

[Travis Munroe]

I highly doubt Nino is going back. Roberto shouldnt fetch nearly as much as he could have over the last season and a half due to a number of solid goalies being available.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Does not make sense for Vancouver. Why would they want to buy out DiPietro when buying out Luongo is pretty much the same amount of money?

Because they would be getting something more than just DiPietro

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Because they would be getting something more than just DiPietro

Like what? If the Isles have to give up much they might as well just buy out DiPietro. I doubt Vancouver does it unless something of substance is coming back.

Still think Florida would take Luongo for free off waivers.

[Roof-Daddy]

Heh. Luongo to the Isles for a package that would include a soon to be bought out Dipietro is a situation just oozing with irony.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by mdubz

My Canuck fanboy buddy says the rumblings are Nino coming back to Van.

I would say next to no chance. Dipietro and a draft pick for Loungo.

[OILFAN #81]

No way Vancouver should do this IMO. Only way is if they get a significant asset back from the Islanders.

Luongo is still a solid goalie. His contract is no good but buying out DiPietro doesn't do anything for Vancouver. They could jut buyout Luongo. Islanders would actually use Luongo where they can't with DiPietro.

[mdubz]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I would say next to no chance. Dipietro and a draft pick for Loungo.

Hard to say. Nino has been scratched a ton and hasn't been playing well in NYI, so I think they'd be inclined to include him. They are getting a #1 goalie in return and will need to give up something more than a late pick no matter how bad the Luongo contract is.

[MissTeeks]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

What if Tim Thomas showed up?

Bob McKenzie‏@TSNBobMcKenzie9m
BTW, NYI are not "tolling" contract of G Tim Thomas. That means his NHL contract expires this summer and is UFA with no obligation to anyone

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Does not make sense for Vancouver. Why would they want to buy out DiPietro when buying out Luongo is pretty much the same amount of money?

Sure it does. Why would you want to pay someone 1.5M for nothing until 2031 if you have the option of paying someone else 1.5M only until 2029. Financially it's the obvious choice if they are at the point where they are going to buyout Luongo.

And if they're at that point it makes even more sense to have Luongo and a near untradable contract over in Brooklyn then signing with a Western Conference team on a good contract.

[The Original FFIV]

I was thinking about this at the deadline. Wonder if Dipietro could be rehabbed back into a NHL backup. Even if they sent him to the AHL for the year and/or surgically repaired whatever needs to be fixed. Would give Canucks stability at the backup position for years to come. Might also be able to dump Ballard and/or Booth to avoid compliance buyout of these players and open up cap room. Would be an interesting deal to go down if it were to happen.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

No way Vancouver should do this IMO. Only way is if they get a significant asset back from the Islanders.

Luongo is still a solid goalie. His contract is no good but buying out DiPietro doesn't do anything for Vancouver. They could jut buyout Luongo. Islanders would actually use Luongo where they can't with DiPietro.

Yeah, but better the Islanders using Luongo than several other teams. It would be a kick in the teeth to pay off Luongo's contract and have him sign with say an Albertan team and rebound. And they save more money. If the Islanders are also willing to add to the deal it's a no-brainer to take it instead of buying out Luongo.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by mdubz

My Canuck fanboy buddy says the rumblings are Nino coming back to Van.

I would say that the Islanders would need a forward with the checking capabilities of Niederreiter more than another goaltender. The market for goaltenders is large this year and interviews with Niederreiter indicates that he's happy with being an Islander again. One would suspect that between his improved play overall would make it hard for Snow to move.

During much of the WC, he looked great. Now, I can't say that it's the best sample size - last year he looked lost. Some video of him in Bridgeport and this year's tournament seem to indicate to me that he is something the Islanders need: a hard checking, pesky, scoring forward who can slot in their top 6 as he gets older.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by mdubz

My Canuck fanboy buddy says the rumblings are Nino coming back to Van.

The Leafs wouldn't trade a 2nd and a 3rd for Luongo, but the Islanders are willing to give up Nino?

Tell your friend to check his sources.