The NHL season starts on Saturday, but the biggest story hovering over the new season continues to be the status of goaltender Roberto Luongo. The Vancouver Canucks netminder has been in the rumor mills for a potential trade since he was left on the bench for Vancouver's final three playoff games last April.
One of the biggest problems with Luongo is his massive contract. Many have questioned whether a goalie with 10 years remaining on a 12-year contract would be an easy sell for other teams. Luongo has an annual cap hit of $5.3 million as per Cap Geek, but Canucks general manager Mike Gillis asserts that it will not be a problem.
"He's an all-star goaltender," said Gillis. "I don't feel compelled or see any reason why we would go down that path with a player of his caliber."
Luongo, 33, has already said he is willing to waive his no-trade clause, but has stated his preference to move to Florida where his family lives. Luongo spent a few years playing for the Florida Panthers before he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in 2006. One of the teams that keeps cropping up is the Toronto Maple Leafs. According to James Duthie, the Philadelphia Flyers are also in the mix for the goalie's services. The Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks are also reportedly in the hunt for Luongo but it is unlikely that Vancouver deals him to a Western Conference opponent if there are Eastern Conference teams interested.
If Luongo were to stay this season, his cap hit added to number one goalie Cory Schneider's cap hit would amount to $9.3 million of Vancouver's salary cap. The teams currently have a $70.2 million cap limit this season but that number will go down to $64.3 next year. Vancouver currently has a cap payroll of $68.5 million.
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