As of noon on Wednesday, Roberto Luongo remains a proud Vancouver Canuck.
After a long and tense process of intensive media speculation and what seemed to be countless attempts at a deal, the three-time Vezina finalist and his seemingly gargantuan contract will have to wait to see what happens in the off-season.
Just ten minutes before the deadline, the hockey world went nuts as Luongo was pulled out of Canucks practise – a process that almost always means that a deal is on its way. As the internet kept pressing F5, the deadline passed and no deal occured. Instead, Roberto gave one of the most honest interviews we’ve ever seen out of a hockey player.
Someone give the guy a hug, seriously.
The video reminds us that players aren’t just tangible assets who can get thrown around teams, but people who are trying to have a successful career, with some sense of stability. Luongo’s shaky status with the team has been more publicized than any other, and having his future discussed by the media so vividly would stress anyone, even someone at his calibre.
“It’s a hit on your pride that teams aren’t willing to give up much…”
Hopefully the Vancouver media one day takes a break from this goaltender controversy mess, and focuses on a real issue in this team: the inability of the other 18 players to score goals. Unfortunately, goalies are often the first to be scapegoats, and the sports media of this city will have their hand running yet another goalie out of town.
It makes you wonder if Vancouver really deserves as humble a player as Roberto.
Vyas Saran is the Vancity Buzz Canucks Columnist. Follow him on Twitter at @vyassaran
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