NHL Rumors: Roberto Luongo for next Canucks GM, are the Islanders eyeing Ben Chariot and Evander Kane?
Anthony Scultore
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The Vancouver Canucks have begun cleaning house. In the wake of Travis Green’s firing with Bruce Boudreau replacing him, GM Jim Benning has also been relieved of his duties.
“First, I want to sincerely thank Jim, John, Travis and Nolan for their passion and dedication to the organization and our community,” said owner Francesco Aquilini. “We are grateful for everything they have done for the Canucks during their tenure, and we wish them nothing but success in the future.”
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NHL Rumors: Roberto Luongo next Canucks GM?
Stan Smyl is now the Interim General Manager with Ryan Johnson being named Interim Assistant GM. The organization announced a search for new leadership has already begun.
Several names have already been bandied about, including veteran executive Jeremy Rutherford.
However, as soon as Benning was let go one named leaped to the top of my list – Roberto Luongo.
The legendary Canucks goalie spent 8 seasons with the team and took them to the 2010-2011 Stanley Cup Final, losing to the Boston Bruins in 7 games.
Luongo, 42, was the GM of Team Canada for the Wold Championships this past summer when they take home Gold in Latvia.
Islanders woes continue
The New York Islanders lost their 11th straight game and have yet to win in their new home UBS Arena (0-4-2). They are dead last in the Metropolitan division with just 20 points (5-10-5).
This season, the Islanders rank 31st in the NHL with just 1.90 goals per game. That’s only made worse as the defense, which is the foundation of their past success, ranks 18th allowing 2.95 goals per game.
Bottom line, the Islanders need to do something and need to do it soon.
Lou Lamoriello is unlikely to rush into anything being the back-to-back winner of the GM of the Year Award. Still, he’s been in the game long enough to know that he can’t wait too long.
Two names that the team has been attached to are Sharks forward Evander Kane and Canadiens defenseman Ben Chariot. Lamoriello will need to move some salary out in the process and also get some help from a third party to fit these two in under the cap.
Nothing is imminent but it’s a situation to keep an eye on.
