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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Vancouver at San Jose
When: 8:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 27, 2013
Where: HP Pavillion at San Jose, San Jose, California
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet Pacific (Vancouver), CSN California (San Jose)
Prediction: Sharks 4, Canucks 2

Oddsmakers currently have the Sharks listed as 126-moneyline favorites versus the Canucks, while the game’s total is sitting at 5½.

Cory Schneider quieted some of the fears of the British Columbia faithful by stopping all 30 shots he faced in Vancouver’s 5-0 win over the Ducks on Friday. Mason Raymond scored twice to join Zack Kassian for the team lead with three goals apiece. Raymond has just one tally in 18 career games versus San Jose. Daniel and Henrik Sedin each have four assists for the Canucks, who wrap up their trip through the Golden State with a date with reigning Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles on Monday.

In their last action, Vancouver was a 5-0 winner on the road against the Ducks. Bettors on Vancouver at -102 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (5) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well.

Team record: 4-0-0 SU, ATS
Current streak: won 4 straight games.
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Vancouver
is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 8 games when playing at home against Vancouver
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Toronto are 4-6
After playing Colorado are 8-2
After a win are 8-2

San Jose’s potent power play is crippling the opposition. The Sharks scored on their first three opportunities Saturday and are 10-for-24 this season. Although Thomas Greiss turned aside 24 shots to record his first career shutout, Antti Niemi likely will be back in goal on Sunday. Niemi owns a .927 save percentage this season but is just 3-6-2 with a 3.13 goals-against average in his career versus Vancouver.

In their last action, San Jose was a 4-0 winner at home against the Avalanche. Bettors on San Jose at -153 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (4) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well.

Team record: 2-1-1 SU, ATS
Current streak: won 2 straight games.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 7 games
is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Jose
is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing San Jose
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing San Jose are 7-3
After playing Anaheim are 4-6
After a win are 7-3

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Vancouver at Anaheim
When: 10:00 PM ET, Friday, January 25, 2013
Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Prediction: Canucks 4, Ducks 1

Daniel Sedin leads all Vancouver players with four points (three on the power play). Henrik Sedin has two assists and is plus-2. Alexander Edler leads the team’s defensemen with two goals and three points, and leads the club with 12 shots. Roberto Luongo made 30 saves in Vancouver’s 3-2 shootout loss to Edmonton on Sunday after stopping 10 of 12 against Anaheim. Alex Burrows has 10 shots on goal but hasn’t recorded a point and is minus-1.

Goaltender Jonas Hiller has both wins this season despite allowing seven goals in his first two starts. Captain Ryan Getzlaf has four points and Corey Perry has three, but Bobby Ryan has yet to record a point and has one shot on goal. Kyle Palmieri, who has a goal and an assist, leads the Ducks with eight shots. Sheldon Souray leads Anaheim defensemen with three points and is plus-3. Penalty killing is the Ducks’ biggest weakness so far this season, with four goals allowed on seven opportunities.

The post Vancouver at Anaheim Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Schneider started Vancouver’s season opener on Saturday against Anaheim, but was pulled after allowing five goals on 14 shots. Roberto Luongo played the rest of that game and then started the Canucks’ 3-2 shootout loss to Edmonton on Sunday.

Luongo, the Canucks’ former No. 1 goalie, is on the trading block after being displaced by Schneider in last season’s playoffs.

Canucks general manager Mike Gillis told the Vancouver Sun on Tuesday that a potential trade for Luongo is in place, but he declined to provide any other details.

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