Vancouver Canucks captain and goaltender, Roberto Luongo, is no stranger to criticism.
Fans and critics question whether or not Luongo deserves the "C," after another disappointing exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Luongo faced reporters Thursday in the Canucks dressing room, after being crushed by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round for the second straight year.
"My job as far as hockey is concerned with the captaincy issue is the same. I don't change anything about it," Luongo told reporters. "I love being captain. I've enjoyed it."
Luongo was named captain prior to the 2008-09 NHL season, after the departure of Markus Naslund. He is the 12th captain of the Canucks, despite the league's rules stating goaltenders cannot captain a team.
Luongo became only the seventh goaltender in NHL history to wear the "C" and painted the letter on his mask to display his leadership of the Canucks.
However, the Canucks fan-favourite, Luongo, failed to deliver the Cup to Vancouver and looked shaky at best in important clutch games with the Canucks in the playoffs.
"I think our core group is excellent," said Luongo Thursday morning. "I really believe in what we have. It's just a matter of making sure it all comes together at the right time next year."
Next year isn't good enough for fans still reeling from witnessing Luongo's uninspiring Game Six performance against the Hawks.
"I battled for 60 minutes, kept it under seven goals so improvement was made," said Luongo to reporters after losing 5-1 to the Blackhawks Tuesday night.
He referred cheekily to the Canucks' 7-5 loss to the Blackhawks in last year's elimination game.
The Canucks wanted redemption against Chicago, but instead repeated history.
Big changes to the dressing room are likely this summer. The NHL free agent season will soon be underway, with question marks around players like Pavol Demitra, Willie Mitchell and Kyle Wellwood who are unrestricted free-agents.
The Canucks will probably be a much younger team next year and bring in fresh blood calling up some of their prospects to join the big club.
Young guns like Cody Hodgson and Jordan Schroeder may be read to step into a larger role with the team.
Luongo must embrace the role of strong leader if he is to shepherd in the Canucks' youth.
"I'm the same guy, I am who I am and that's why they named me captain,' said Luongo told the media. "There are other things around it that are obviously extra things that I'm going to have to make sure I can handle."
