Max Power
6-08-06, 1:27 PM
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/epaper/2006/06/08/a9c_luongo_0608.html
Luongo asking for 1-year contract
By Brian Biggane
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Thursday, June 08, 2006
RALEIGH, N.C. — The agent for goaltender Roberto Luongo has informed the Panthers his client will sign only a one-year deal this summer, not the long-term contract the team has been seeking.
Gilles Lupien said Wednesday that his top priority is securing a no-trade clause in Luongo's contract. NHL rules prohibit no-trade clauses before the year in which a player becomes eligible for unrestricted free agency, which in Luongo's case is July 2007.
We don't want to sign long term and then be traded to somewhere like, say, Columbus, and be stuck there," Lupien said.
Lupien said the intention remains to work out a long-term contract for his client. "Roberto wants to play in Florida. Nothing about that has changed," he said.
To retain his rights, the Panthers have to make Luongo a one-year qualifying offer equaling his 2005-06 salary of $3.2 million by July 1. If Luongo accepts that qualifying offer, which seems likely, the two sides would not be allowed to reopen negotiations on a long-term deal until next January.
Luongo also could reject the offer and go to arbitration, whereby the two sides could continue to negotiate until the arbitration hearing is held in August. But Lupien has said he has no desire to go to arbitration, contending that the team's decision to take Luongo to arbitration last summer was a negative experience for his client.
Luongo was rewarded a $3.2 million salary for the 2005-06 season by the arbitrator after the two sides differed by more than $2 million on his value.
Panthers General Manager Mike Keenan could not be reached for comment.
Jovanovski 'interested:' A league source at the Stanley Cup Final said former Panther defenseman Ed Jovanovski "is very interested" in rejoining the team if he becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1.
Jovanovski, the Panthers' first-round pick in 1994 who was traded to Vancouver in January 1999 and has spent the past six seasons with the Canucks, has been spending the off-season at a home he bought recently in Boca Raton. Vancouver still has exclusive negotiating rights to re-sign him through June 30.
The sticking point to negotiations could be an asking price that likely was driven up by Bryan McCabe's recent five-year, $28 million agreement with Toronto. Jovanovski is expected to ask for in excess of $6 million per season, which Keenan has said may be too steep for his budget.
Well I thought this was a good conversation piece so it deserved its own thread. Florida just might need to trade him this off season if this is true as Luango might have other motives.
What a dumb comment by Gilles Lupien about Columbus though
Anyways let the proposals fly
For me I think Muckler needs to be all over this. Ottawa has lots to offer and it should be doable. I say Lee and Havlat or Heatly... This is providing they can sign long term with Luago
Luongo asking for 1-year contract
By Brian Biggane
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Thursday, June 08, 2006
RALEIGH, N.C. — The agent for goaltender Roberto Luongo has informed the Panthers his client will sign only a one-year deal this summer, not the long-term contract the team has been seeking.
Gilles Lupien said Wednesday that his top priority is securing a no-trade clause in Luongo's contract. NHL rules prohibit no-trade clauses before the year in which a player becomes eligible for unrestricted free agency, which in Luongo's case is July 2007.
We don't want to sign long term and then be traded to somewhere like, say, Columbus, and be stuck there," Lupien said.
Lupien said the intention remains to work out a long-term contract for his client. "Roberto wants to play in Florida. Nothing about that has changed," he said.
To retain his rights, the Panthers have to make Luongo a one-year qualifying offer equaling his 2005-06 salary of $3.2 million by July 1. If Luongo accepts that qualifying offer, which seems likely, the two sides would not be allowed to reopen negotiations on a long-term deal until next January.
Luongo also could reject the offer and go to arbitration, whereby the two sides could continue to negotiate until the arbitration hearing is held in August. But Lupien has said he has no desire to go to arbitration, contending that the team's decision to take Luongo to arbitration last summer was a negative experience for his client.
Luongo was rewarded a $3.2 million salary for the 2005-06 season by the arbitrator after the two sides differed by more than $2 million on his value.
Panthers General Manager Mike Keenan could not be reached for comment.
Jovanovski 'interested:' A league source at the Stanley Cup Final said former Panther defenseman Ed Jovanovski "is very interested" in rejoining the team if he becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1.
Jovanovski, the Panthers' first-round pick in 1994 who was traded to Vancouver in January 1999 and has spent the past six seasons with the Canucks, has been spending the off-season at a home he bought recently in Boca Raton. Vancouver still has exclusive negotiating rights to re-sign him through June 30.
The sticking point to negotiations could be an asking price that likely was driven up by Bryan McCabe's recent five-year, $28 million agreement with Toronto. Jovanovski is expected to ask for in excess of $6 million per season, which Keenan has said may be too steep for his budget.
Well I thought this was a good conversation piece so it deserved its own thread. Florida just might need to trade him this off season if this is true as Luango might have other motives.
What a dumb comment by Gilles Lupien about Columbus though
Anyways let the proposals fly
For me I think Muckler needs to be all over this. Ottawa has lots to offer and it should be doable. I say Lee and Havlat or Heatly... This is providing they can sign long term with Luago