Bingo Bango Bye Bye

Maybe it's because Roberto Luongo actually said out loud that he may not re-sign here, but why the surprise on the fans' and media's part about this revelation? The captain has always struck me as a fairly intelligent guy who gives pretty well thought out answers to questions thrown his way.

Canuck fans should be happy that he's come out and said that. It puts the onus on Mike Gillis to go out this summer and get the two "made" Marians--Gaborik and Hossa. Let the Sedins walk off to T.O., where they can cycle their way into the hearts of Buds' fans.

After all, for Luongo to be truly judged a great goalie in this era he has to win a Cup. It's not like he's like Blackhawks' Hall of Famer Tony Esposito stuck in an era where the Habs, Bruins, Flyers and Islanders dominated and would not let any other teams snag silverware.

Given that fact, put yourself in Roberto's skates, and would you sign an extension with a team that has made all of two deep runs in close to four decades of NHL play vs. signing on with Detroit after next season? It worked for Dominik Hasek after years in Buffalo.

Gumby takes it all in '02

So now the ball's in the Canuck court. Obviously, Luongo has to lift the team at least past rd. 1 this year. In rd. 2 if they are matched up vs. the Sharks or the Wings, Luongo is going to have to play lights out and the series has to go at least 6 for any Canuck fan to have any hope in '09/10. Should, by some Dwayne Roloson flukey stop everything in sight scenario, either of the top two teams bow out in rd. 1, the Nux have to get to the Western Conference Final period or Mats Sundin is also toast come next season.

So, thank you Roberto Luongo as now you put the pressure on where it should be. Gillis has to go for it this summer and throughout 08/09 by loading up on as many scorers as he can (also, a Jay Bouwmeester would be nice to add that Dan Boyle/Nicklas Lidstrom type to the backline). Until then Ryan Kesler and Alexandre Burrows are great stories (and pretty decent players now) but they are not playoff studs yet and probably won't be in a year's time.