Many Canucks fans and media alike have been outraged at the decision to not retire Roberto Luongo’s number. They have expressed their displeasure boisterously on social media as well as written and audio platforms.
I am here to tell you that although their adoration and passion for Luongo is admirable, they are dead wrong.
A jersey retirement at its core is a symbolic exercise of recognizing the highest levels of excellence.
Roberto Luongo’s tenure with the Canucks would not qualify as the highest level of excellence.
Perhaps that was true in the regular season, but playoff performances do matter.