Roberto Luongo is a good goalie. I've watched enough of his games on Center Ice over the last 4 seasons to understand this. In Florida he was at times spectacular and in Vancouver he has been very good as well, but I do not agree with the majority of hockey broadcasters that think he is a hyrbid of Glenn Hall and Jesus Christ.
Luongo is overrated for several reasons. For one, he's the best goalie playing on a Canadian team. Hockey is religion in Canada and he is their best stopper. Canadian media love him because he's their best, although he's simply a just an above-average goaltender.
Secondly, he looks sexy. With that slick-backed GQ hairstlye and Italian-Stallion look he has hockey fans both male and female alike secretly in love with him and and puck-stopping abilities. I bet he spends more than $20.00 on a bottle of shampoo.
Lastly, people love saying his name. Roberto Luongo Roberto Luongo, Roberto Luongo, IT IS fun to say. It flows out out your mouth like butter. It's not fun to say "Cam Ward" or "Pekka Rinne" but these guys are good goalies as well.
Niklas Backstrom is every bit the goalie Luongo is. His numbers over the last 2 seasons are just as good and he comes at a much more affordable price. But people everywhere think Luongo's the better goalie because Backstrom is an average guy from Finland who washes his hair with Prell and doesn't have a sexy-sounding name. Give me Niklas Backstrom every day and I'll give you a better netminder with money to spare.
1 comment:
Luongo is a good goalie, but not a "Great" goalie. He will never be in the same league as a Dryden, Roy, Brodeur or a Smith. Those were great goalies who could steal a win or two, which would push you over the top in a Stanley Cup run. Luongo is not in that elite tier status. He had a brutal GAA against Chicago and didn't steal one win. His GAA in 6 games against Chicago was 4.00! Even when the Canucks score 5 he lets in 7....end of story.
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