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| Could Dave Bolland head to Vancouver to get Roberto Luongo in Chicago? (Getty Images) |
Since it became evident that Roberto Luongo was going to be traded out of Vancouver the speculation about his future landing spot centered around two teams: the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers. Toronto because of its need for a goalie and Florida because of Luongo's reported interest in returning to his former team.
The Leafs dropped out of the picture leaving Florida as the clear favorite.
In the background there has been a tantilizing and intriguing option in the Chicago Blackhawks but has just seemed too tough to fathom given the history between the Blackhawks and Canucks. Even though United Center has not been a good place at all for Luongo he still isn't the most popular guy in Chicago.
However maybe we should start looking at it as a real possibility, especially if Dave Bolland's name is in the conversation.
But Florida hasn’t been the most interested team recently involved in trade talks with the Canucks. It’s been the Chicago Blackhawks, who have been mulling over the idea and have had conversations with Vancouver.
They even reportedly dangled one of Vancouver’s arch-enemies, Dave Bolland, to the crew over at Rogers Arena. Now, that would take some getting used to, both for fans and players.
That would be ... interesting. Bolland has been pretty clear in the past about his feelings for the Canucks, in particularly Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin, referring to them as sisters. It would make for a really intriguing meet and greet with your new teammates if it were to happen.
Then again, Vancouver GM Mike Gillis could reject the idea on many levels, not just for the potential chemistry issues of adding Bolland. Trading a good goaltender like Luongo to a conference rival could be a hard one to swallow even if he knows he has to get rid of his goalie.
From Chicago's perspective I have thought all along it does make a lot of sense. Well again, minus the whole getting over the idea of Luongo in Chicago. The 'Hawks have been looking to upgrade in goal, making a run at Martin Brodeur in free agency. Luongo would help solidfy the position that has been an issue for a few years.
However the Blackhawks' other position that needs addressing is center and shipping Bolland obviously doesn't help that dearth of pivots.
Regardless if Bolland would be part of any potential deal or not it's very interesting that Botchford reports Chicago is the most interested team out there. If nothing else for Gillis it at least gives him a little leverage. And it keeps alive the possibility of seeing the amazing situation of Luongo going to Chicago, it would be a lot of fun to see from the outside.
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