When goaltender Roberto Luongo was shipped out of Vancouver just prior to the 2013-14 NHL trade deadline for forward Shawn Matthias and goaltending prospect Jacob Markstrom, the swap was met with mixed reception from Canucks fans, and mostly positive treatment from Panthers supporters.
What many detractors of the trade from a Vancouver standpoint argued, is that Matthias and Markstrom, while both decent pieces with solid upside, were both relatively unproven, and not nearly enough for a decorated goaltender of Luongo’s caliber. Only making matters worse, was the fact that then general manager Mike Gillis had just spent an entire season and off-season refusing offers that, on paper, were of more value than what they eventually received. Throw in that the Canucks ended up retaining 15% of Luongo’s salary, and the fact that his backup, Eddie Lack, was playing in only his first NHL campaign, you have a trade that was rightfully met with uncertainty.
However, the supporters had a much different viewpoint on the situation. They argued that having Luongo and his adjoining drama out of the locker room was a victory in itself, which considering what had just transpired with Eddie Lack starting in the Heritage Classic, is a claim that has some merit to it. In any case, it appears that the Roberto Luongo trade is one where both teams can be satisfied.
It’s safe to say that the vast majority of Panthers fans were fairly satisfied with the re-acquisition of fan favorite and franchise wins leader Luongo. Goaltending was a position in which Florida needed a massive upgrade in order to be a playoff team, and the two time gold medalist was certainly that. While it was much too late for the Panthers to make a run post- trade deadline last season, the trade is paying off in spades for the 2014-15 campaign. Luongo is currently posting a goals against average of 2.30, and a save percentage 0f 0.924%, both above his career averages of 2.50 and 0.919 respectively. He is without a shadow of a doubt the primary reason the Panthers sit two points back of a wildcard spot (with two games in hand.) One would have to think that Luongo has to be in the Vezina conversation as we approach the halfway point of the season (he has previously been nominated for the award three times.)
As for the Vancouver, both acquisitions are starting to pay off for the Canucks. Shawn Matthias, after a slow start to the the season in which Matthias himself admitted “I’ve been pretty crappy the first eight games”, has been one of the most consistent performers for the ‘Nucks. Not only has the 26 year old put together seven points in his last 12 games, but he’s become a spark plug of sorts for the club playing alongside former Los Angeles Kings Brad Richardson and Linden Vey.
The other half of the package, Jacob Markstrom, struggled in Florida last season posting a sub par 3.52 GAA and a 0.874 save percentage, and struggled to even get into the lineup once traded to Vancouver, starting a mere three games (putting up a GAA of 3.00 and a save percentage of 0.868). However, Markstrom appears to have rebounded, posting numbers nothing short of spectacular on a high flying Utica Comets team that currently sits at first place in the entire American Hockey League. Markstrom has posted a wonderful 1.69 GAA and 0.938 save percentage. Despite just recently returning from injury, he appears to be just fine as he allowed just a single goal with 0.947 save percentage against the Adironback Flames.
So while the Panthers will, in all likelihood, be widely regarded as the winner of the Roberto Luongo exchange, it’s far from a runaway victory, as the Canucks acquired a strong depth centerman, and a blossoming goaltending prospect. Mike Gillis did a lot of things wrong late in his tenure as Vancouver Canucks general manager, but this is certainly not one of them.
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