Luongo showed his frustration with his contract and his current status as a backup goaltender Wednesday during a news conference with the Vancouver media.

“My contract sucks — that’s what’s the problem,” Luongo said. “I’d scrap it if I could now.”

“I think that he was very emotional,” Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said. “I think these days are emotional for everybody. I think he said that in a highly emotional state. I’d like to give him the opportunity to catch his breath and have a discussion with him.”

Luongo will spend the remainder of the season in Vancouver and will back up starter Cory Schneider, who has seized the starting job with a 2.27 goals-against average and .922 save percentage.

A three-time All-Star, Luongo hasn’t started a game since March 18.

“It’s a tough situation for everybody, no doubt,” Luongo said following Wednesday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline. “We’re obviously trying to make the best out of it and making sure that what’s best for both sides is done. Obviously, the time isn’t now, and we’ll have to wait.”

Luongo acknowledged that the remaining nine years on his contract made a trade especially challenging. His average salary cap hit is $5.33 million per season.

“I do feel obligated to trade Roberto and get him into a position where he’s happy,” Gillis said. “The needs of our team also play a role in this. Trying to balance them is a difficult thing. We’ve been doing that for six months.”

According to ESPN.com’s Pierre LeBrun, the Maple Leafs had discussions with the Canucks regarding Luongo, but the two sides couldn’t find a match. Luongo can reject any deal but claimed that it never came to that, even though he was pulled from practice early Wednesday.

“There was obviously some teams that were interested,” Luongo said. “Nothing ever materialized to a point where I had to give a decision whether I was going to waive or not. What the future holds is something you try not to think about.”

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Erskine was punished Saturday for a hit he delivered to Simmonds’ face that sent him to the ice with a bloody nose late in the first period of Washington’s 3-2 victory on Friday night.

Erskine wasn’t penalized for the shot that knocked Simmonds out of the game.

“Obviously, he’s got a head injury and probably a little bit of whiplash going on right now,” Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said after the game. “He seemed OK after the game. We’re just going to have to wait and see how he is (Saturday).”

Based on his average salary, Erskine will forfeit $24,324.33 to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Erskine will miss two games against Pittsburgh and a matchup with Toronto. He will be eligible to return when the Capitals face Florida at home on Feb. 9.

The Flyers were already without forward Scott Hartnell (broken foot) and defenseman Andrej Meszaros (shoulder). Forward Danny Briere was playing in his fourth game this season after missing the start of the season with a fractured wrist.

After the hit on Simmonds, which drew blood, Zac Rinaldo and Matt Hendricks fought before the ensuing faceoff. Both players received a five-minute fighting major and game misconduct.

Simmonds entered the game with five points in seven games this season, averaging more than 18 minutes of ice time per game.

The post John Erskine suspended 3 games appeared first on IdealCapper.

Erskine was punished Saturday for a hit he delivered to Simmonds’ face that sent him to the ice with a bloody nose late in the first period of Washington’s 3-2 victory on Friday night.

Erskine wasn’t penalized for the shot that knocked Simmonds out of the game.

“Obviously, he’s got a head injury and probably a little bit of whiplash going on right now,” Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said after the game. “He seemed OK after the game. We’re just going to have to wait and see how he is (Saturday).”

Based on his average salary, Erskine will forfeit $24,324.33 to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Erskine will miss two games against Pittsburgh and a matchup with Toronto. He will be eligible to return when the Capitals face Florida at home on Feb. 9.

The Flyers were already without forward Scott Hartnell (broken foot) and defenseman Andrej Meszaros (shoulder). Forward Danny Briere was playing in his fourth game this season after missing the start of the season with a fractured wrist.

After the hit on Simmonds, which drew blood, Zac Rinaldo and Matt Hendricks fought before the ensuing faceoff. Both players received a five-minute fighting major and game misconduct.

Simmonds entered the game with five points in seven games this season, averaging more than 18 minutes of ice time per game.

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