The Vancouver Sun projects that Eddie Lack's hip surgery could alter the Canucks' goaltending plans for next season, but should not affect the potential trade of Roberto Luongo.
Lack, who hasn't played for Vancouver's AHL affiliate in Chicago since Nov. 24, had hip surgery Tuesday in Vale, Colo., and is gone for the season. The Canucks put his recovery time at up to six months and would not provide any specific details on what type of surgery Lack underwent.
The 25-year-old Swede, who was coming off two solid seasons of work in the AHL, signed a two-year deal with the Canucks this past summer. He's on a two-way contract this season, but is guaranteed a NHL salary of $750,000 next season.
It may be unrealistic to assume that Lack, coming off surgery and 10 months without any game action, will be ready to begin next season in Vancouver. Canucks assistant general manager Laurence Gilman does not agree with that assessment.
"All I would say is the projected rehabilitation period is to a maximum of six months," Gilman said. "It doesn't mean he won't be ahead of schedule. There's a lot of time between now and when next season commences and we'll have to see how things evolve."
Lack's injury should not affect a potential Luongo trade. Even when healthy, Lack was not in Vancouver's plans for this season.
But any potential Luongo trade would likely include a goalie or Vancouver would have to scour the free agent market for one. And whatever goalie the Canucks come up with might have to be here for the rest of this season and possibly next, depending on how Lack rebounds from surgery.
Lack's Denver-based agent, Kurt Overhardt, would not comment on Lack's surgery, but expressed confidence his client will be ready to compete for a job in Vancouver next fall.
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