Schneider's Time To Shine

With Roberto Luongo out of the line-up the last few games, fans have been seeing the future (or what they hope will be the future). Corey Schneider has been the man between the pipes since Bobby Lou went down on November 15^th and has made a case for the number one spot in Vancouver’s net.

Corey Schneider has been the go-to guy for the Canucks, but these last two games have been huge for him. He split his two starts with a 5-1 loss to Chicago (Nov 16) and a 2-1 win against Ottawa (Nov 20), but despite the loss, he has looked great in net and has really transformed into a smart NHL caliber goalie (when to play the puck, knowing his angles, rebound control, covering the puck, etc).

Every game he plays, Schneider looks more confident and is making a case to be a starter. With Schneider (25 years-old) being 7 years younger than Bobby Lou (32 years-old), one might think that by starting him now, he will only get better and possibly surpass Luongo's achievements at this age. All we can really say is that Corey Schneider is playing a lot better this year, and he deserves a chance to be a starter.

Now let me just throw a scenario out there: Roberto Luongo is traded to who ever for a forward/defenseman and some draft picks. This would bring Schneids in the starter role, but who would come in to back him up? Both Eddie Lack and Matt Climie have backed up Schneids during his role as main man, but who would end up getting the call-up? Both are great young goaltenders, providing similar numbers, and have played roughly the same amount of games in Chicago.

My choice would be to bring up Lack. His numbers are the lesser between him and Climie, but he played an extra game, and he has more experience. By bringing him up into the NHL as a backup, Climie would be the clear starter for Chicago and can further his skills. With Schneider the main man in Vancouver, he could help Lack get used to the NHL level on every night, and they would reconnect with their team chemistry (since they played for the Manitoba Moose together with the same scenario – Schneider was starter, Lack was his understudy). But like I said, this was just scenario, but Vancouver and Chicago would both be fine.

As for Roberto Luongo, he plans on suiting up for tomorrow’s game against Colorado. He has been practicing with the team, and Climie was sent back down to Chicago on Monday. Whether Bobby Lou get the nod in net or rides the pine is up to Coach V, but don’t be surprised if you see Corey Schneider getting more starts (especially around trade deadline), because he is ready to become a starter.

-Brian Raiger