Music: {allcanada} COULD OILERS BE MYSTERY TEAM IN ON LUONGO?

Monday, September 24, 2012

{allcanada} COULD OILERS BE MYSTERY TEAM IN ON LUONGO?

The Vancouver Province speculates that in recent weeks, Roberto Luongo has come to the realization that his hope of being traded to Florida is hanging on by a thread, if at all.

And if Florida is out, and that's how things looked before the lockout, what's left? Toronto has already made a solid offer for Luongo, and when asked about a deal to the Leafs, GM Mike Gillis said there were several assets the Buds have which can get it done.

Gillis was also asked recently about his relationship with Burke, and said they get along "well enough" to pull the trigger on this thing.

It just re-affirmed what many have thought for months — the Leafs make the most sense. But what would that mean for Luongo? If he is struggling in October will assistant GM Dave Nonis be knocking on his door to go over paddle-down techniques?

If there is encouraging news for Luongo, it's that before the CBA expired at least one mystery team, and maybe two, entered the Luongo sweepstakes. Team Mysterious wasn't one of the ones that had previously been attached to a Luongo trade in rumours, so scratch Columbus off your list along with the obvious ones.

The Edmonton Oilers were floated as the potential suitor in question, and on some levels it makes a lot of sense. Nikolai Khabibulin will be 40 in January, and just may retire if this season is wiped out. Devan Dubnyk has improved slowly over the years, and shown some promise. But he's hardly a sure thing as a No. 1 goalie in the NHL and there is no prospect behind him anywhere near ready to push for playing time.

For most, there's no doubt Luongo would help the emerging Oilers. Maybe even make them a playoff team. And there's the rub. What makes sense for Edmonton, probably doesn't for the Canucks, depending, of course, on the offer.

But it's not an easy decision for the Canucks, if you believe Luongo would accelerate the re-build program in Edmonton, making the division that much tougher, that much sooner.

Plus, Justin Schultz may have chosen Edmonton. That's one thing. Would Luongo ever do the same?

Give the Oilers this, they sure look a lot better than Toronto from here this week.