GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted May 8, 2010 Roberto Luongo was brought in to take Vancouver from perennial 1st and 2nd round exits to the next level as a franchise. So far, they haven't looked any better in the playoffs in his 4 seasons, then they have before with Dan "freaking" Cloutier. They'll most likely lose to Chicago, and have another early playoff exit. He's had too many awful games in these playoffs already and seems to have little confidence in his game. I know hockey is a team sport and the others guys haven't stepped it up either for them, but for all the praise this guy gets, I'm starting to agree with people who have been saying for years that he's overrated and isn't a good playoff goalie. Maybe they'll win the series and he'll make me eat my words, but right now he looks like the most overrated player in the league, with lesser known goalies playing much better in these playoffs. 2 Paul MacLean's Mustache and Zeowingsfan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ShanahanMan 473 Report post Posted May 8, 2010 Agreed.....that 12 year contract isn't looking so good right now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted May 8, 2010 Agreed.....that 12 year contract isn't looking so good right now Well, the contract is the norm for what's happening right now with superstar players unfortunately. Everyone gets these long contracts now. When he got it, it looked like a good move, but he hasn't earned it a bit because the playoffs is what they brought him in for. They were already making the playoffs every year without him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooon 1,089 Report post Posted May 8, 2010 Other than maybe some leadership things, I don't think the current series hole is really Luongo's fault. The Cannucks looked GREAT in game 1 and they looked great for the first 50 minutes of game 2. Chicago was the team that looked clueless and awful. Chicago tightened up but, I really have no idea what happened to Vancouver. They seem to have no idea what to do defensively, and are getting beaten to every puck. I wish they would just go back to that Game 1 attitude. I agree in general though, over the years Luongo always seems worn out by playoff time. They're stuck with him though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted May 8, 2010 Other than maybe some leadership things, I don't think the current series hole is really Luongo's fault. The Cannucks looked GREAT in game 1 and they looked great for the first 50 minutes of game 2. Chicago was the team that looked clueless and awful. Chicago tightened up but, I really have no idea what happened to Vancouver. They seem to have no idea what to do defensively, and are getting beaten to every puck. I wish they would just go back to that Game 1 attitude. I agree in general though, over the years Luongo always seems worn out by playoff time. They're stuck with him though. Their defense is playing no worse than Montreal's defense. If he's so great, he should be able to outplay Niemi and handle a barrage of shots by Chicago. But goals like that final goal Kopecky scored can't be blamed on the defense. He just can't hold on to a puck right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted May 8, 2010 (edited) The trouble with Luongo is the same problem many goalie-based teams have. They put too much pressure on a single guy, and usually sign a bad contract that hurts them from actually improving the team too much. Luongo might do better on a team like Detroit or Chicago where the team is more balanced and he can blend in. In Vancouver, it's basically the Luongo show, he's the captain, got an obscenely long contract (anything above 3 years for a goalie is ridiculous in my book), and he caves. But look at the Olympics, when he had a solid team in front of him and wasn't the star it worked fine. EDIT: Hey, if Vancouver could go from playing well to collapsing, maybe it could happen to San Jose for....oh, I don't know, 3 more games maybe? Edited May 8, 2010 by VM1138 1 Hockeymom1960 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clutchngrab 12 Report post Posted May 8, 2010 Agreed.....that 12 year contract isn't looking so good right now Never understood the trend towards signing goalies to LTCs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T.Low 1,011 Report post Posted May 8, 2010 He had one great playoff series; his first series ever against Dallas. His first game he had aobut 50 saves. He played a great game. Since then... Vancouver's Team 1040 said Luongo was voted most overrated player in the NHL by NHL players. I'm not a Luongo fan, and think it was a mistake to make him captin on a number of levels. The difference between a high dollar puck moving Dman and a lesser Dman is greater than the difference between a socalled Elite goalie (high dollar) and a lesser goalie. Red Wings compared to Canucks are a great example of that theory. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
russianswede919293 95 Report post Posted May 8, 2010 Their defense is playing no worse than Montreal's defense. If he's so great, he should be able to outplay Niemi and handle a barrage of shots by Chicago. But goals like that final goal Kopecky scored can't be blamed on the defense. He just can't hold on to a puck right now. Don't underestimate the power of Hall Gill - The shots on Halak are not from good shooting angles... That said Luongo is no elite goaltender in my book. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AIK'91 22 Report post Posted May 8, 2010 In '06 (after the loss to Edmonton), weren't we close to sending Luongo an offer sheet while he was a RFA in Florida? The trade to Vancouver and eventual signing nixed that plan though. And I'd say things for us worked out for the better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedWingsRox 614 Report post Posted May 8, 2010 Wow, I couldn't believe this until I looked it up. 5 out of the 8 goalies are less than a mill per season: Howie - $750K Niemi - $825K (but they got $5.5 mill in their backup ) Rask - $750K (another $6 mill goalie as backup ) Boucher - $925K Halak - $800K Luongo - $7.5 mill Nabokov -$6 mill Fleury - $3.5 mill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
13dangledangle 965 Report post Posted May 8, 2010 Luongo is a great goalie but wayyyyyy ******* overrated! I would take 10 goalies over him! Halak, Rinne, Rask, Flower, Hiller, Mason(pick one), Ward, Backstrom, oh ya and HOWARD! LETS GO RED WINGS!!!!! (ok and maybe not chris mason so only 9) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted May 8, 2010 As far as goaltending goes, is there now a trend to invest more into team defense with good goaltending instead of "great"? That kind of sucks for goalies who really want to make the big bucks and win at the same time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted May 8, 2010 It's been a while since a big name goalie has really put on a show during the playoffs. We were lucky to see Hasek and Roy when they were at their best -- they don't come around too often. 3 Vladifan, Hockeymom1960 and Casey reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vladifan 680 Report post Posted May 8, 2010 It's been a while since a big name goalie has really put on a show during the playoffs. We were lucky to see Hasek and Roy when they were at their best -- they don't come around too often. We were lucky to see Roy when he was at his worst, too. Muueeeehaaahaaa. Sick, I know - but I couldn't resist. 3 Casey, heinz57 and Hockeymom1960 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FunkedUp 29 Report post Posted May 8, 2010 Yes, Luongo is one of the most over rated hockey players in the entire NHL. I've been saying this for a while now, and I have no idea how he manages to negate this stereotype. I wish that Canada didn't win gold so that I could say that Luongo hasn't won anything. Although, he wasn't, at all, for any reason, a part of Canada's Olympic success. That would be Drew Doughty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted May 8, 2010 Hmm I wonder why Luongo was clean shaved today...is he trying to "restart" everything again? lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z Winged Dangler 2,082 Report post Posted May 8, 2010 Roberto Luongo was brought in to take Vancouver from perennial 1st and 2nd round exits to the next level as a franchise. So far, they haven't looked any better in the playoffs in his 4 seasons, then they have before with Dan "freaking" Cloutier. They'll most likely lose to Chicago, and have another early playoff exit. He's had too many awful games in these playoffs already and seems to have little confidence in his game. I know hockey is a team sport and the others guys haven't stepped it up either for them, but for all the praise this guy gets, I'm starting to agree with people who have been saying for years that he's overrated and isn't a good playoff goalie. Maybe they'll win the series and he'll make me eat my words, but right now he looks like the most overrated player in the league, with lesser known goalies playing much better in these playoffs. all of us know here on LGW that the most overrated player in the league is mike green luongo is up there though. luongo steals games here and there...but as you said, he's had alot of bad games in the playoffs. they should just trade him already for another scorer and bring up cory schneider. the canucks have jordan schroeder coming up soonish to put the puck in the net and shirokov isn't bad. it's hard to believe that with luongo the canucks can't win. after they lose to chicago we'll probably hear the "he was injured" excuse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragonballgtz 273 Report post Posted May 9, 2010 (edited) Wow, I couldn't believe this until I looked it up. 5 out of the 8 goalies are less than a mill per season: Howie - $750K Niemi - $825K (but they got $5.5 mill in their backup ) Rask - $750K (another $6 mill goalie as backup ) Boucher - $925K Halak - $800K Luongo - $7.5 mill Nabokov -$6 mill Fleury - $3.5 mill Most are playing like it this playoff season IMO. I have not really seen a true goalie dual game this post season. That might be just the way its going now a days with more offense post lockout then defense. But most goalies this playoff year have looked shaky to me Edited May 9, 2010 by dragonballgtz Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MacK_Attack 108 Report post Posted May 9, 2010 I think the issue is that Luongo is simply burned out from playing so much hockey this year. 78 games now plus the Olympics this season. Look at the teams left in the playoffs. Most of them had a solid tandem and are now riding the hot hand. The teams that have one guy and run hard with that guy are out. Especially in an Olympic year, teams need two solid goaltenders. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doggy 130 Report post Posted May 9, 2010 Vancouver's a young team. They have plenty of time to win the Cup. This isn't their last chance. Seems like people are talking like it is. 3 GangstaBitch, wingsfaninMA and Rufio reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted May 9, 2010 Vancouver's a young team. They have plenty of time to win the Cup. This isn't their last chance. Seems like people are talking like it is. The problem with Vancouver is that they have built their team like this: Excellent top line. Solid second line. Mediocre checking line. Mediocre fourth line. Good top pair. Decent second pair. Mediocre third pair. Very good regular season goalie who they hope can carry them in the playoffs. Most championship teams are built like this: Strong top line Strong second line. Good checking line Solid fourth line. Very good top pairing. Strong second pairing. Decent third pair. Good regular season goalie capable of carrying the team in the playoffs. Look at the two builds. Which builds provide very good regular seasons and playoff failure, and which provide good regular seasons and deep playoff runs? I think you all know the answer. 1 Namingway reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nhurdi 42 Report post Posted May 9, 2010 I agree he is over rated. I think they are really missing Mitchel at the moment. With that said the whole mental game is getting the best of the whole team as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mjtm77 Report post Posted May 9, 2010 Yea would no say he is the most overrated in the nhl tho Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Firehawk 305 Report post Posted May 9, 2010 Wow, I couldn't believe this until I looked it up. 5 out of the 8 goalies are less than a mill per season: Howie - $750K Niemi - $825K (but they got $5.5 mill in their backup ) Rask - $750K (another $6 mill goalie as backup ) Boucher - $925K Halak - $800K Luongo - $7.5 mill Nabokov -$6 mill Fleury - $3.5 mill Nabokov and Luongo are WAYYYYYY overpaid, neither are any more than average in my opinion. Both SJ and Vancouver have had success to this point despite their goalies. And now look at Vancouver. They can't stay in a game because of Luongo. Nabokov gave up just as many goals as Howard did in this series, unfortunately we couldn't get that one more per game. But as long as SJ has Nab, they won't win the cup. He's not a cup winning goalie. At some point they're going to need him for more than a period or two at a time. And i hvae a feeling, in round 3 against Chicago, we'll see what I'm talking about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites