The Trade that Has to Happen: Luongo to Edmonton

        When the Vancouver Canucks announced that Cory Schneider would start both Game 3 and Game 4, it began to seem as though Roberto Luongo's time in Vancouver is starting to come to an end. Vancouver's coaching staff and management have clearly lost faith in Luongo. This man is signed until the end of the 2021-22 season. He should be their guy, but he's not. Cory Schneider, who is a free agent after this season, is capable of being a starting goaltender in the NHL. After this season, he will without a doubt, be a starter. But for what team? Vancouver management has that gut feeling about Schneider, and his team loves playing in front of him. He should be the starting goalie in Vancouver this season; but what would happen with Luongo? They both can't stay in Vancouver this season.
      The answer to this question is: send him to Edmonton for the number one overall pick! It all makes sense. Edmonton has the number one overall pick for the third straight year. They are oozing with good young players, like Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarvi, Linus Omark, and one of this season's Calder Trophy nominees for rookie of the year, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. This year's top prospect is Nail Yakupov. Now don't get me wrong, Yakupov is poised to be the NHL's next superstar, but the Edmonton Oilers just don't have room for him, because of their young and up-and-coming group of forwards.
        The Edmonton Oilers, however, could use Roberto Luongo. Their goaltenders, Devan Dubnyk, and Nikolai Khabibulin are good, but I can't see them taking the Oilers deep into the playoffs. Plus, Dubnyk's contract is up after this season. That leaves an open slot for Luongo to step in. Roberto Luongo has taken his team on a deep playoff run, coming one win away from the Stanley Cup in 2011. He has experience, something that these young Oilers don't have. And in return for Luongo, the Canucks get Nail Yakupov. With Yakupov, the Canucks will be set for success for a long time. They'd have Yakupov along with Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Alex Burrows, and Ryan Kesler. That's a deadly group of forwards. 
        Sending Luongo to Edmonton works money-wise as well. Edmonton has $21,450,001 dollars available to spend. That's more than enough money to take on Luongo's contract. Vancouver has $15,000 available. They are basically at the salary cap limit. Unloading Luongo's contract would give them enough room to sign Cory Schneider, and possibly more players this offseason.
        This trade clearly works for both sides, and it would be one of the biggest trades of all-time. Let's hope it happens.