Wait ... what?

Cory Schneider is the one leaving Vancouver? Really?
Photo courtesy of zimbio.com

Just when I thought the Vancouver Canucks were going to pin their future Stanley Cup hopes on Cory Schneider, they trade the goaltender to the New Jersey Devils prior to the start of Sunday's NHL Draft.

So instead of turning the reins over to Schneider (17-9-4 record in 30 starts during a 48-game regular season), the Canucks are giving the goal crease back to Roberto Luongo?! The same Roberto Luongo who has been longing for a new start somewhere else since the end of the 2011-12 season? Really?

Of course, the trade is a windfall for the Devils. Now, they have a relatively young goaltender who will fill in nicely once Martin Brodeur retires (presumably after next season). Losing the No. 9 pick in the first round to acquire a goalie of Schneider's caliber (2.20 regular season GAA) is a trade you have to make.

But now, Vancouver has to convince Luongo that he should stay and give new coach John Tortorella a chance. Also, the Canucks need to convince their fans that they should give Luongo another chance. Seems like they'll need to do a lot of convincing on both fronts to make this work.

Frankly, the Canucks should have kept Schneider and traded Luongo. But since they did the opposite, they'd better hope Luongo finds the mojo he lost two seasons ago and starts playing well in big games again.