Tag Archives: Nonis
Nonis didn’t want Carlyle as coach
When the club was looking for a coach to replace Ron Wilson in the grim days when last season transformed itself into a lost season, NHL sources say Nonis went to bat for Dallas Eakins, then and now the coach of the AHL Marlies. Nonis and other front-office executives were of the belief that Eakins is everything a modern-era coach should be; progressive but hard-nosed, communicative with players but never friends with them. Burke, of course, insisted on his old friend Randy Carlyle.
January 21 – Luongo Update
Despite months of rumors, the season opened with Roberto Luongo still in Vancouver, albeit with his status changed from franchise goalie to Cory Schneider’s backup. Not a good look, and not one likely to remain long, given his $5.33 million cap hit. The most logical landing spots for Bobby Lu are Toronto or Florida (where he formerly wore his Apollo 13-sized pads). One source claims Brian Burke, recently pushed aside as Leafs GM, worked out a deal for Luongo with Canucks GM Mike Gillis over the summer, one that would have delivered the goalie to Toronto when the lockout ended. Ex-Canucks exec Dave Nonis, now the Leafs GM, made the deal in 2006 that brought Luongo to Vancouver and also signed him to his monster contract. Toronto remains the front-runner for Luongo, but that could change rapidly, if a club with shaky goaltending (Chicago?) stumbles out of the gate.
Bozak, Kadri and a second rounder? Wayyy too much for Luongo. And there’s no other team willing to pay that price either.
— Damien Cox (@DamoSpin) January 16, 2013
Murphy on Leafs: Luongo not the only option
But what we have to consider here is that the Leafs are looking at other options; options that may not cost as much as Luongo in the short term and long term.
What about Jaroslav Halak in St. Louis? He went 26-12-7 last season with a 1.97 GAA and .925 save percentage and still sits second on the depth chart behind Brian Elliott. Or what if Nonis and company felt like Jonathan Bernier was ready for prime time but never got the chance to show it behind Jonathan Quick.
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