Skip The Maple Leafs Altogether: Vancouver And Calgary Should Just Trade Roberto Luongo For Miikka Kiprusoff

I know its a long shot, but with both the Canucks and Flames talking to the Toronto Maple Leafs about goaltenders, the two teams should just skip the Leafs altogether and swap Roberto Luongo for Miikka Kiprusoff (and another player/pick).

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.