At this stage it's fair to say Schneider's future is uncertain and by direct extension so is the goaltending situation with the Manitoba Moose.

The Canucks signed veteran NHLer Andrew Raycroft on Monday to a one-year $500,000 US contract and bulked up the organization's depth in the crease.

Raycroft owns a 94-96-16 career record with a 2.90 GAA, .899 save percentage and six shutouts.

Vancouver is expected to close a long-term deal with No. 1 goalie Roberto Luongo in the near future, leaving Raycroft and Schneider to figure out who will be the Canucks backup and who will be the top netminder in Winnipeg with the Moose.

Schneider made big steps at the AHL level last season, capturing the league's top goalie award as well as first team all-star team honours. Playing all the way into the Calder Cup final was also a major stepping stone for Schneider and he's considered a commodity in the NHL trade market.

While such progress may have improved his trade value, Canucks GM Mike Gillis says it has done little to grease the wheels for the netminder's coveted promotion to the NHL.

"It doesn't affect anything," said Gillis, when asked how the Raycroft deal would effect Schneider's future. "Cory still hasn't really played in the NHL -- except for emergency recall (last December) -- and he'll be competing for a spot on this team like everybody else. We're thinking what's best for Cory and what's best for everybody and we need to have goaltending depth. You just can't go into a season with two goalies. And we're looking at other goalies to supplement the group."

Gillis will make the final decision on Schneider's future and it will likely depend on how close he thinks his team is to contending for a Stanley Cup.

Getting top value for Schneider would likely come at or near the trade deadline and if the Canucks decide they'd like to flip the Massachusetts native, at some point they'll need to showcase him in the NHL.

Raycroft came at a bargain and Vancouver won't hesitate to use him in Winnipeg although waivers could be an issue for the eight-year veteran.

The uncertainty of Schneider's status is just another trouble spot for the Moose, who lost two-thirds of their top line over the weekend as centre Jason Krog signed with the Atlanta Thrashers and winger Jason Jaffray left to join the Calgary Flames.

Good news, however, should be on the way, as Moose coach Scott Arniel is in Vancouver for the team's prospect camp and an announcement on his return to the team is imminent.

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca

-- with files from the Vancouver Province

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 7, 2009 B6