the uncertain future of cory schneider

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The Uncertain Future of Cory Schneider By Dustin Forbes, Burnaby BC Brian Burke once dubbed Vancouver, “the goalie graveyard,” but ten years later it looks as though it’s the complete opposite. With Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider manning the crease, the Canucks have arguably the best one-two punch in the National Hockey League . But, with Luongo locked up long-term, the future of Schneider with Vancouver is bleak. Leading up to the trade deadline, there was a lot of talk about Schneider being dealt, but wasn’t; so you have to think that it is the inevitable move come the off-season for the Vancouver Canucks . Is Schneider ready to be a starting goaltender in the NHL? Where will Cory Schneider go? When will Schneider be traded? All of these are questions that need answers. Schneider is a proven winner, and a proven starter at all levels he’s played at. The 25-year-old Marblehead, Massachusetts native has a strong track record of being able to brunt the load of the tasks of a starting goaltender. After three years as the starting goalie with the Canucks AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, Schneider racked up 84 wins in just 136 starts – along with 17 victories in 36 playoff games. In 2009, Schneider won both the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial trophy as AHL goaltender of the year; as well as the Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award as the goalie of the team with the fewest goals against. In his first full season with the Vancouver Canucks, Schneider has been able to showcase just how good he really is. Having started 21 games this season, Schneider has posted a record of 15-3-3. He also has a goals against average (2.16) and save percentage (.930) – not too bad, considering Luongo signed a 12-year extension for numbers similar to that just over a year ago that will see him make $64M. Schneider is slated to make $950K next season, in the last year of a two-year deal and seeing UFA status at the end of next season. You can be sure to see Schneider dealt as the Canucks won’t want to let a blue-chip prospect walk away for nothing. Canucks would likely want a high draft choice, prospects, and/or roster players in exchange. So, why not think about some destinations. What team wants a 25-year-old potential starting goaltender that is, at least for now, cap friendly? – Everyone. Here are some potential fits for Cory Schneider.

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Where he may go? What the Canucks might get in return?

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Page 1: The Uncertain Future of Cory Schneider

The Uncertain Future of Cory Schneider

By Dustin Forbes, Burnaby BC

Brian Burke once dubbed Vancouver, “the goalie graveyard,” but ten years later it looks as though it’s the complete opposite. With Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider manning the crease, the Canucks have arguably the best one-two punch in the National Hockey League. But, with Luongo locked up long-term, the future of Schneider with Vancouver is bleak. Leading up to the trade deadline, there was a lot of talk about Schneider being dealt, but wasn’t; so you have to think that it is the inevitable move come the off-season for the Vancouver Canucks.

Is Schneider ready to be a starting goaltender in the NHL? Where will Cory Schneider go? When will Schneider be traded? All of these are questions that need answers.

Schneider is a proven winner, and a proven starter at all levels he’s played at. The 25-year-old Marblehead, Massachusetts native has a strong track record of being able to brunt the load of the tasks of a starting goaltender.  After three years as the starting goalie with the Canucks AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, Schneider racked up 84 wins in just 136 starts – along with 17 victories in 36 playoff games. In 2009, Schneider won both the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial trophy as AHL goaltender of the year; as well as the Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award as the goalie of the team with the fewest goals against.

In his first full season with the Vancouver Canucks, Schneider has been able to showcase just how good he really is. Having started 21 games this season, Schneider has posted a record of 15-3-3. He also has a goals against average (2.16) and save percentage (.930) – not too bad, considering Luongo signed a 12-year extension for numbers similar to that just over a year ago that will see him make $64M.

Schneider is slated to make $950K next season, in the last year of a two-year deal and seeing UFA status at the end of next season. You can be sure to see Schneider dealt as the Canucks won’t want to let a blue-chip prospect walk away for nothing. Canucks would likely want a high draft choice, prospects, and/or roster players in exchange.

So, why not think about some destinations. What team wants a 25-year-old potential starting goaltender that is, at least for now, cap friendly? – Everyone.

Here are some potential fits for Cory Schneider.

Tampa Bay Lightning – Since Steve Yzerman has gone into Tampa, he has certainly put his stamp on the team, and why not add a potential superstar goaltender that you can build around? With Dwayne Roloson nearing the end of his career, and Mike Smith as a career backup, Tampa Bay could use a solidified starter, and they have a lot of bargaining chips. Most notably, up and coming prospects Carter Ashton and Brett Connolly of the Western

Page 2: The Uncertain Future of Cory Schneider

Hockey League, as well, you could definitely pull a first or second-round draft pick out of the Lightning.

New Jersey Devils – With Martin Brodeur on the down-ward slope of his career at the age of 38, the future hall of famer only has one more year on his contract at a cap-hit of $5.2M – perfect timing for a younger goaltender to take over from. You could pull a first-round draft pick out of New Jersey, as well as prospects. Players like Travis Zajac and David Clarkson would be expendable from a New Jersey stand-point, especially if they want to re-sign Zach Parise this summer.

New York Islanders – re-building is an understatement for the Isles. Since they signed Rick DiPietro to the 15-year contract, he has been a complete bust and seemingly always injured – so why not add another goaltender. You could most definitely pull a first-round draft pick from the Islanders, perhaps prospect Travis Hamonic. As well players such as Blake Comeau and Kyle Okposo could be placed in a deal.

But, the most logical destination and best fit for Cory Schneider would be the Toronto Maple Leafs. Leafs General Manager, Brian Burke, and Assistant GM, Dave Nonis, have love-affairs with former players, and are both former GM’s of the Vancouver Canucks. And how fitting is it that Dave Nonis was the one that drafted Cory Schneider in the first round, 26th overall, of the 2004 NHL Entry draft.

Brian Burke throws draft picks around with ease – all you have to do is look at the Phil Kessel deal where he sent two first-round picks to Boston, so one would be easy to get from the Leafs. Nazem Kadri could be a bargaining chip coming back the other way, especially considering the Leafs added prospect centre-man Joel Colborne in the Kaberle deal. As well, current players Luke Schenn and Clarke MacArthur, who will be an RFA this summer, could be expendable from a Leafs stand-point, especially if you package Schneider with a Kevin Connauton or Yann Sauve prospect as well.

This of course is one-hundred percent hypothetical and speculation, but one thing remains the same – Cory Schneider, at least for now, is a member of the Vancouver Canucks.