page_title: 2012–13 Vancouver Canucks season
section_title: Off-season
hierarchical_section_title: 2012–13 Vancouver Canucks season / Off-season
caption_attribution_description: English: Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo in a pre-game warmup against the Boston Bruins on October 28, 2008.
context_page_description: The 2012–13 Vancouver Canucks season was the team's 43rd season in the National Hockey League. The Canucks won their fifth-straight Northwest Division title and finished third in the Western Conference. In the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs, Vancouver was swept by the San Jose Sharks in the first round. Shortly after the Canucks' playoff elimination, head coach Alain Vigneault was fired.
  Prior to the beginning of the season the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement expired, resulting in a lockout. The season was threatened with cancellation before the lockout ended, ultimately the length of the labor dispute resulted in the reduction of games from the standard 82 to a shortened 48. Cory Schneider entered the season as the team's new starting goaltender, while the Canucks attempted to trade incumbent Roberto Luongo. The two goaltenders battled for playing time early in the season resulting in a goaltender controversy. After a six-game winning streak to start February, the Canucks dealt with multiple injuries and suspensions resulting in the team slumping.
context_section_description: Following an early exit from the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, the off-season began with speculation that head coach Alain Vigneault might be fired. There were also rumors that general manager (GM) Mike Gillis could be removed from his position. After an end of the year meeting with team owner Francesco Aquilini, Gillis signed a new five-year contract. Fifteen days after his new contract, Gillis signed Vigneault to a new two-year contract.
  The Canucks announced that they would be celebrating 100 years of hockey in British Columbia during the season. To that end, they would wear a special patch on their jerseys with the logo of the Vancouver Millionaires, the first professional team in the city. They also would wear replica jerseys of the Millionaires for their March 16 game against the Detroit Red Wings.
  After being replaced as starter for the final three playoff games, Roberto Luongo said that he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause if asked. Following the re-signing of Cory Schneider to a three-year $12 million extension, trade rumors increased. It was later reported that Luongo wanted to be traded and that "it was time to move on". Though as training camp approached, Luongo had not been traded. He indicated that he would have no issues returning to the Canucks. Gillis further stated that although he had received several "strong" offers, the Canucks were not having a "fire sale" for Luongo. Doug MacLean on Sportsnet's Hockey Central reported that a trade was in place to send Luongo to the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, Luongo, believing the Florida Panthers, his preferred destination, were going to make a deal for him, refused to waive his no trade clause. Luongo later said that he never turned down a trade.
caption: Trade rumors involving Roberto Luongo started in the off-season.
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