by Matthew Sekeres , Breaking News from globeandmail.com

ABSTRACT

With Luongo yet to sign his extension, consideration is also turning to the backup situation

We are still expecting the Vancouver Canucks and star goaltender Roberto Luongo to come to an agreement about a contract extension this summer, even if both sides say it is not yet done. Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said that he and Luongo's camp have suspended talks because the team was focused on the more pressing matter of free agency.

Luongo, 30, is under contract for the 2009-10 season, and is expected to sign an extension worth between $6.8-million and $7.5-million (all currencies U.S.) at some point this summer.

On Tuesday, Gillis had more to say about the team's goaltending situation just 24 hours after signing former Leaf Andrew Raycroft to a one-year, $500,000 contract. For starters, the backup job has not been handed to Raycroft. He will have to beat out top prospect Cory Schneider.

"If he makes the team he stays [with the Canucks ]," Gillis said of Schneider's chances. "Our long-range plan is to keep him."

The prevailing wisdom is that Schneider, who instantly becomes trade bait once Luongo signs his new contract, would be best served by more time in the American Hockey League, particularly after a shaky NHL debut last season, and that Raycroft makes more sense to serve as Luongo's caddy because he is a veteran.

Luongo will likely only miss between seven and 12 starts next season if he stays healthy, though it could be as much as 15 should the team want him to get more rest.

The Canucks consulted with Luongo before signing Raycroft. Luongo has a history of being involved with the selection of his backup from his days with the Florida Panthers.

Gillis said that Schneider, 23, is "really close if not ready to play" in the NHL. He would earn about $1-million should he make the team.

When asked whether he considered a full AHL season, or about 15 NHL games, more beneficial to Schneider's development, Gillis said: "He played close to 60 games this season at the AHL level, and we don't know if it would be 15, or 20, or 10, or 25 [next year with the Canucks ].

"There's a lot of merit to being around a guy like [Luongo], who is considered the best player in the league at his position. But there is also merit in taking NHL shots, and being a part of an NHL team, and an NHL environment, as part of the learning curve for Cory."

As for Raycroft, Gillis said he was a worthy "rehabilitation" project.

The Canucks like his size (six feet, 185 pounds) and the fact that he had previous success as a rookie with the Boston Bruins. Gillis said Raycroft was in a "challenging environment" with the Colorado Avalanche last season, but that he came at a reasonable price. Gillis characterized Raycroft's time with the Leafs and Avs as a "dip" in his career, and suggested the 29-year-old still had upside.

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