411mania’s NHL Conference Call Coverage: Roberto Luongo
Posted by Neil Borenstein on 09.26.2007
Luongo talks about what he learned in the playoffs, Trevor Linden being an icon in Vancouver, leaving the game if the NHL increases the net size and much more!
The National Hockey League wrangled up Vancouver star Roberto Luongo for a media conference call on Tuesday.
Luongo was traded to the Canucks from the Florida Panthers just prior to the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Luongo was caught off guard when then-GM Mike Keenan sent him packing. But a lucrative contract in Vancouver quickly eased that pain. What also eased that pain was an appearance in the playoffs, the first of Luongo's career. He managed to keep the Canucks in the thick of things even when the team's offense was not quite up to snuff. He won 47 games last season, which was second only to Martin Brodeur's record-breaking 48 victories with New Jersey. Luongo also ranked sixth in the NHL in goals against average (2.26) and fourth in save percentage (.921).
Here are some highlights from the conference call:
Roberto Luongo
Photo courtesy of the NHL
On The Canucks
More offensive support for this season:
"I think so. I mean, we're all a year older. We've played a year together as a team, so I see us starting a step ahead of what we did last year.
As a team, I think we made a few key additions up front as far as depth goes. A couple guys that can put the puck in the net."
Keeping fresh while playing so many games:
"Well, I think there's a lot of key factors. The first one is you've got to listen to your body. Sometimes you feel like you need some rest or need a day off and you've got to take it. Even though I didn't take many last year. You've got to really listen to your body.
And when you're not at the rink, it's important to get some rest and eat well and get some good sleep."
Learned from playoffs last year:
"Well, I mean, it was a great experience, that's for sure. Something that I'll never forget and look forward to having many more of.
I think what I've learned is more of something that involved the playoffs and not really something that involved the regular season.
All I can bring to this season from last year is the excitement, the feeling you have when you're in the playoffs. It just gets you more revved up to have a good year and make sure that you're part of it again."
Offseason regiment:
"I've been working with the same trainer the last few years. I haven't really changed much. Although I can say that the workouts have gotten more intense over the last couple years. You try to really get in the best physical shape possible once training camp rolls around."
Thoughts on Mason Raymond:
"He's been quite impressive so far. He's got all the great hockey vision and he's a fast skater. He's got some good hands. It will be interesting to see what happens with him the rest of the way. I'm not sure what the management has planned for him, but definitely he's somebody that's going to be here if not right away, in the future."
What it was like to play for Alan Vigneault last year:
"It was great. He implemented a great system. The thing that I really liked the most about him is he holds guys accountable for what they do on the ice. When you do that, every player has a different role, feels that they're important with the role they have, it really creates a good atmosphere on the team."
Adjustment to playing in Vancouver:
"It went pretty easy. It wasn't a big adjustment at all. As far as hockey-wise, I think the main thing is to learn a bit about the shooters in the West, guys I didn't get to see very often. Apart from that, just getting settled in here and making sure that I got a place and I'm all set up in a short period of time."
Trevor Linden as an icon in Vancouver:
"Oh, he is an icon. It's been great. Kind of the same thing: He's a great guy, a great leader, and he's become one of my best friends on the team. I really enjoyed playing with him. I was happy to see he came back for another season."
Expectations of Canucks this season after last year's run:
"Well, I mean, I think we want to take it to the next level. As far as the team is concerned, we were proud of what we accomplished last year because not a lot of people put us in that situation.
Now that we've been there, we've had a taste of it. We want to take the next step, which would be obviously trying to win the Stanley Cup. We know there's a lot of hard work to be done. We're in a tough division. At the same time we know that we have the capability as far as talent in the locker room and character to do it."
On League Issues
Net size in the past versus be more spacious than today:
"Yeah. But, I mean, the game has changed. The way the goalies play the game has changed. Also, the shooters did not have synergy sticks back in the day. It all evolves with time. Definitely the game is different today and that's why we see goalies needing a bit more protection and also being better goaltenders and better athletes."
Bigger nets:
"If that day comes, I don't think you guys will be seeing me in the NHL … I have no intentions of playing with bigger nets."
Goalies fighting in the preseason:
"Well, first of all, I understand what Rick [DiPietro] did last night [against the Rangers (Sept. 24)]. He was defending a teammate. You know, that was something that showed a lot of character and leadership.
But at the same time, you've got to be careful. You don't want to suffer an injury that will take you out for a length of period of time and miss the season or something like that.
He did what he had to do, but at the same time you want to be careful with those types of situations."
Hockey in the south:
"I think the teams in the South, they've got good attendance. It all depends on what type of team you have. I think if you look at Carolina, the year they won the Cup, they were selling out. People were going to the games.
I think it would be the same type of situation in Florida. Once they get to have a good team, I think people are going to love going to the games.
It's pretty much not only for the teams in the South, I think everywhere in the league is pretty much the same. Definitely as far as marketing the player goes, apart from Ovechkin, who is one of the biggest superstars in the NHL, there could be a little bit more done in regards to that aspect."
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