You know, it could have been FAR worse... Lou Lams could have flipped Schneider to Edmonton for far better than what Vancouver was offered...
Anyway, perspective people.
This team has flamed out of the playoffs in the last two postseasons underperforming epically. Changes were need - no - DEMANDED. This after going to Game 7 of the SCF in 2011.
Fine. So you dump the most successful coach in franchise history. Done.
Then you find the best available coach to succeed him. Done. Personally, I think AV > Torts, but that's just my opinion. I can't really think of anyone else who is available and would be an upgrade on AV.
Then this fanbase demands to trade Luongo but for at least at least a top 2 RH defenceman, a decent backup and of course picks/prospects. Well, guess what? No one bites on that. And certainly no one wants Luongo when clearly Schneider is younger, cheaper, and better. Why settle for Luongo when Schneider is clearly the better goalie? It's a bitter pill and a very costly one, but clearly something had to give, and this was the best alternative out there. Could ownership have bought out Luo? Probably, but then we'd have nothing to show for that, and IMO, that would be a far worse outcome.
With Toronto getting Bernier, the trade market for Luongo/Schneider was getting smaller.
So now the Canucks acquired a pretty good two-way prospect in Horvat, and a kid with great offensive upside in Shinkaruk. With any luck, at least one of these guys crack the lineup within the next three years, and the other within the next five. They used their remaining picks instead of trading them and perhaps one or two of them can crack the bottom of the lineup. This team still has a good goalie and some young guys who can compete for the backup position in Utica. They still have the core of this team intact (save for Schneider) with which to build around.
It's not perfect but it'll do.
Am I unhappy that GMMG couldn't get more for Schneids? Sure, he might have received more from Edmonton, but at the cost of having to face the Oilers backstopped by Schneider six times a year? Why help your rival? Was their offer really that much better? We'll probably never know, but I'd rather send Schneids to the east.
For the record, I would have been ok trading Edler, too - I've lost my patience with him now. He might be better in a Wings uni. But the focus now shifts to perhaps buying out Ballard; I think Booth is still a good serviceable second line forward who gels with Kesler.
There can be only one (starting goalie)!