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SCHNEIDER TRADE STUNS TWITTER
That the Vancouver Canucks finally traded a goaltender at the NHL draft after a seemingly never-ending saga didn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone.
The veritable bombshell was the organization finally deciding to move 27-year old Cory Schneider, rather than 34-year-old Roberto Luongo. Schneider, thought to be the future of the franchise between the pipes, became significantly easier to market to other NHL teams both because of age and the fact that Luongo still has another nine seasons remaining on his 12-year, $64 million pact.
So general manager Mike Gillis pulled the trigger in the first round of Sunday’s draft, sending Schneider to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for the team’s ninth overall selection. The Canucks then converted that pick into London Knights forward Bo Horvat.
New Jersey has long been seeking an heir apparent to future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur and now appears to have the answer in net. Brodeur, 41, has one year left on his current contract, as does back-up goaltender Johan Hedberg.
As you can imagine, social media was immediately abuzz following news of the trade. Here’s a taste of the reaction in the hockey world from players, media and fans alike.
— Strombone (@strombone1) July 1, 2013
New Jersey trades draft pick for Cory Schneider. #NHLDraft
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) June 30, 2013
Whoa! Now the draft has started. #bigtrade. Vancouver and New Jersey. #nhldraft
— Evander Kane (@EKane9JETS) June 30, 2013
Crowd erupts when trade is announced: Goalie Cory Schneider to the Devils for the No. 9 overall pick.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) June 30, 2013
Vancouver….wowzers…..Lou great trade. #thatsall
— Blake Geoffrion (@BlakeGeoffrion) June 30, 2013
The NHL might as well cancel the rest of the draft and just cover the wait for Roberto Luongo’s next Tweet.
— The Royal Half (@theroyalhalf) June 30, 2013
Imagine the looks you'd have gotten a year ago you if you said the Canucks would win their division, hire Tortorella & trade Cory Schneider.
— Adam Proteau (@Proteautype) June 30, 2013
"I'm really excited to be coming to New Jersey. I've always followed them; I've been a fan of Brodeur's since I was younger" — #Schneider.
— New Jersey Devils (@NHLDevils) June 30, 2013
Oh man. I just realized the cover for NHL 14 is going to have a backup on it. #Brodeur.
— Steve Dangle Glynn (@Steve_Dangle) June 30, 2013
Here is @strombone1 life the last couple years..maybe not as fun though #dizzy pic.twitter.com/EZMKblptBs
— Michael Grabner (@grabs40) June 30, 2013
Hey @walsha looks as if @mike_liut is pretty decent at "reading the tea leaves"#nhl @strombone1 Will check on your place this summer #toldya
— Willie Mitchell (@Willie_Mitch33) June 30, 2013
Played with C. Schneider in Switzerland this past lockout. Outstanding goalie and even better guy, best of luck in NJ bud!
— Matt Duchene (@Matt9Duchene) June 30, 2013
Mike Gillis says ownership (F Aquillini) will meet with Roberto Luongo.
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) June 30, 2013
#NJD Not sure what Schneider's acquisition means for backup Johan Hedberg. Veteran goalie has a NTC but does not have a NMC
— Katie Strang (@KatieStrangESPN) June 30, 2013
Luongo's realtor tells me his Vancouver condo, listed for $4.2 million, has not sold. So he's got that going for him. #Canucks #nhldraft
— Brad Ziemer (@BradZiemer) June 30, 2013
Don't know how the Schneider trade — retaining Luongo — can be painted as anything but a resounding defeat for #Canucks GM Mike Gillis.
— Cam Cole (@rcamcole) June 30, 2013
About 87 bloggers just fired up their computers to angrily delete their Luongo farewell pieces that had written last year.
— Wyatt Arndt (@TheStanchion) June 30, 2013
Schneider said he already received a text from Peter Harrold, his former BC teammate. Also played there with Stephen Gionta.
— Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice)
Not even Cory Schneider is convinced Luongo is coming back
— Jason Botchford (@botchford) June 30, 2013
It's possible that @strombone1's phone might have melted with text messages, hence his silence on Schneider trade #pndraft
— Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) June 30, 2013
How could the Flyers not have offered more than that for Schneider?
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) June 30, 2013
What an absolute gongshow in Vancouver. Gillis managed to screw up their goaltending situation nearly as bad as the Flyers.
— Frank Seravalli (@DNFlyers) June 30, 2013
Holy justification, Batman! Gillis on Schneider: "Our plan 3 yrs ago was develop Cory and move him for a high pick and that's what we did."
— Ken Campbell (@THNKenCampbell) June 30, 2013
Only thing that will make this better is when Gillis signs Tim Thomas to back up @strombone1
— Matt Kalman (@TheBruinsBlog) June 30, 2013
The next tweet from @strombone1 is going to break Twitter. #canucks
— Richard Loat (@mozy19) June 30, 2013
Just when I was about to throw these bad boys out #canucks @strombone1 pic.twitter.com/Rc8bzMXyGE
— Jamie Johnson (@jammyrft) June 30, 2013
So I'm really confused now. Schneider is gone but does Roberto even want to be the #Canucks goalie? What if he says I want out?
— Eric Edlund (@EdlundEric) June 30, 2013
OMG -pls be true – Did the #Canucks trade Cory – meaning we get to keep Luongo? #HockeyIsGreat #GoVancouver #Torts #nhl @strombone1
— Kristine Crawford (@KBodnark) June 30, 2013
'So, uh, we cool?' -Mike Gillis to Luongo today.
— Mike (@50_MissionCap) June 30, 2013
I have higher expectations for the next @strombone1 Tweet than I do for Anchorman 2.
— Melissa Martin (@DoubleEmMartin) June 30, 2013