Mar 19, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo (1) during the first period against the St. Louis Blues at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

I know Vancouver doesn’t want to trade Luongo to a team that would be facing them four or 5 times a season in their own division, but they could get their backup for Cory Schneiderfor at least the rest of the year. Luongo would give the Flames stability in the net for the next few years while they rebuild and can take their time to find a true heir apparent in the meantime.

Mar 24, 2013; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman (26) and Calgary Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff (34) during the third period against St. Louis Blues at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Kiprusoff and Luongo would both need to OK the deal, which is unlikely, since Kiprusoff probably still thinks he is a worthy starter (not that he would be just handed the job in Toronto either) and I am not sure Luongo wants to go to a team in rebuild mode.  Kipursoff’s cap hit is actually higher than Luongo’s, so that doesn’t solve the Canucks’ cap conundrum.  But, if my supposition of yesterday is true, Kiprusoff wouldn’t object to a buyout after this season because he doesn’t want to play for $1.5M. If the Canucks would promise the buyout, then Vancouver is closer to Calgary than Toronto is, so Kipper would be nearer his family.   That would be a much more affordable buyout than Luongo, so from a strictly outsider point of view it kind of makes sense.

Before you write your comments that I am crazy or stupid, or know nothing about hockey: Yes, I fully realize the chances of this trade happening would be slim and almost none.  However,  a byproduct of such a trade would also be that the Maple Leafs miss out on two goaltenders they had their eye on.  Imagine the sideshow in Toronto that Dave Nonis would face when confronted with media after the realization that both of his targets were no longer available. That circus would be worth the price of admission alone.

February 24, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Beau Bennett (19) celebrates with teammate Sidney Crosby (87) after Bennett scored his first career NHL goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

1. Tuuka Rask made 34 saves for the win as the Bruins beat the Panthers 4-1.  Milan Lucic, Zdeno Chara, Chris Kelly and Daniel Paille scored for Boston, while Tomas Kopecky replied for the Panthers.  Stephen Weiss was the story as he was nailed to the bench for most of the third period, seeing onluy 1:14 of ice time despite the Panthers playing from behind.
2. Evander Kane‘s goal with under 3 to play in the second period broke a 2-2 tie and the Jets went on to beat the Devils 4-2.  Andrew Ladd had the insurance marker in the third, adding to goals from defensemen Zach Bogosian and Grant Clitsome.  Travis Zajac and Steve Bernier had the Devils goals.  Johan Hedberg was the surprise starter after Martin Brodeur left the warmup early with “general soreness”.
3. On the second night in back to back, the Canucks stayed with the Red Wings for the first, even leading 3-2 through 1.  Then the travel and schedule seemed to catch up to them, and the Wings struck for 3 in the 2nd and 3 more in the 3rd to turn a close game into an 8-3 blowout.  Roberto Luongo was shelled for 8 goals on just 28 shots.  Damien Brunner had two goals and two assists, Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall each had a goal and two helpers to lead the Wings.  Daniel Sedin had two goals for the Canucks, both set up by brother Henrik Sedin.
4. The Islanders jumped up to a 2-0 lead on goals from John Tavares and Matt Moulson, but Carolina score 4 unanswered to get the come from behind win.  Eric Stall and Jordan Staal scored in the second period, while Bobby Sanguinetti (his first NHL goal) and Alexander Semin put up third period markers for the win.Cam Ward allowed 2 goals on 5 shots in the first, but settled down after that and stopped the last 20 shots he faced.  Kevin Poulin took the loss for the Islanders after replacing the demoted Rick DiPietro on the Isles roster.
5. The league leading Blackhawks faced league worst Columbus looking to extend their record to 18 straight games with a point to start the season and only mananged one goal from Andrew Shaw.  Fortunately for them, they were playing the Blue Jackets and one was enough for the win as Corey Crawford made 28 saves to win the goaltending duel with Steve Mason, who made 26 saves of his own.
6. Pittsburgh jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead and then withstood a number of Tampa comebacks to outlast the Lightning 5-3.  Sidney Crosby had 2 goals and an assist, for the winners, while Steven Stamkos led the Bolts with a goal and two assists.  Other Penguins goals came from Paul Martin, Beau Bennett (his first NHL goal) and Ottawa’s favorite pest Matt Cooke.  Pittsburgh played without Evgeni Malkin, who left Friday’s game and is being treated for a concussion.
7. Jarome Iginla tripled his goal total with a pair in Calgary’s come from behind 5-4 win over the Coyotes. Iginla scored with 1:23 left to tie the game and then Curtis Glencross stole the Coyotes point with the winner 23 seconds later.  Tim Jackman and Michael Cammalleri also scored for the Flames who scored 5 on Mike Smith  who got the start despite making over 40 saves the previous night in Edmonton.  Raffi Torres had a pair for the Coyotes, with singles from Nick Johnson and Michael Stone (brother of Senators prospect Mark Stone).
8. Corey Perry‘s second of the game with 46 seconds left in overtime gave the red-hot Ducks a 4-3 win over the Avalanche.  Colorado had a 3-2 lead heading into the third on goals by Cody McLeod, P.A. Parenteau and John Mitchell, but couldn’t hang on for the win and had to settle for a single point.  Teemu Selanne had one for the Ducks, and Ryan Getzlaf knotted the game before Perry’s OT winner. Francois Beauchemin assisted on all 4 Anaheim goals.

There are 5 games on Monday, including Montreal heading into Ottawa, and Toronto going to visit the Flyers in the return of James van Riemsdyk to Philadelphia after last summer’s trade for Luke Schenn.  Chicago will return home to defend their streak against the Oilers and the Kings host the Ducks in the battle of LA area teams.