The Roberto Luongo drama just never seems to end. Once heralded as the key to success for the Vancouver Canucks is now the source of plenty of headaches over the past two seasons. Now officially back as the starting goaltender for the franchise and signed to a new agent, ghosts from Luongo's past are haunting him.
Luongo recently fired agent Gilles Lupien after the whole mess surrounding his contract and potential trades over the past two seasons. Apparently not happy being let go, Lupien is firing shots towards the Canucks' management for how they treated his client.
"I played for a team with nine Hockey Hall of Famers," Lupien told the Globe and Mail. "I've never seen a start treated like that. I think personal he's treated like a piece of paper, a fourth-line player."
Lupien is of course referring to all the drama surrounding Luongo. After being the King of Canada when the Olympic Team won the gold medal, Luongo returned to Vancouver a much different player. He then led the Canucks to a Stanley Cup Finals loss while following that up with two disappointing first round exits in the postseason. The team attempted to trade the goaltender multiple times after replacing him at starter with Cory Schneider. When it was all said and done, Schneider was traded and Luongo is set to return as the starter.
Lupien was stunned by the trade as was Luongo reportedly. His biggest critique went to general manager Mike Gillis for never being clear on the goalie's future and not attempting to minimize the drama.
"It's okay to say you're going to trade someone," Lupien explained. "But then trade him. If I want to sell my car, and I want to get a good price for it, I don't say my car is always in the garage. There's something wrong with it. No one will want to buy it. You either say your car is the best car you ever had - or you say nothing."
As one Luongo agent blasts the Canucks, the new one is confirming his return. Many have questioned whether or not Luongo would actually report to team training camp, having not publically spoken about the trade. Reportedly considering his options, Luongo's co-agent Pat Brisson said he will be back in Vancouver.
"Roberto has a contract and is preparing to be at training. He is planning on speaking with Gillis," Brisson said.
So is that enough to put Canucks' fans at ease about the situation? Time will tell if that holds up. It only seems natural that Luongo is unhappy with the team, but he really have little options of where else he can go.
