Luongo keeps quiet

 

BY GEORGE RICHARDS

 

grichards@herald.com

 

 

In a story released Wednesday by the Canadian Press, goalkeeper Roberto Luongo said he likely wouldn't talk about a new contract with the team until after the season.

 

Thursday morning, Luongo reiterated those statements, although he added if the Panthers made an offer in January, a deal might be reached.

 

''The contact is going to be up to my agent and the team,'' Luongo said, ``and I really don't want to be a part of it, especially in the middle of the season. If they want to make an offer, that's fine, but I would prefer finishing the year and seeing what happens next year. My salary has been set for this year, so there's really nothing I can do about it.''

 

Luongo was upset with the team when the Panthers became the first NHL team in history to take its own player to arbitration.

 

Luongo was awarded a one-year contract worth $3.2 million for the 2005-06 season after turning down a last-minute, five-year offer worth $25 million.

 

Luongo will be a restricted free agent again next year, and if the Panthers don't lock him up before the end of the 2006-07 season, he could leave the team as an unrestricted free agent.

 

Thursday, Luongo said he was happy with the direction the team was going and added the team's veteran presence has made a noticeable difference.

 

''We're winning games, and guys are having fun. That's what it's all about,'' said Luongo, who begins his weekly radio show on 560 WQAM tonight at Doris Market in Coral Springs. ``It's been great so far, and a winning atmosphere is 100 times better than a losing one. It's been fun coming to the rink every day and being around the guys, especially the older guys who have really helped us out.

 

``I feel the difference in this team, and I see it in myself. I'm a much happier person in general, so it's just a matter of keeping things going and play as well as we have.''

 

Captain Olli Jokinen is in a similar situation, although he could test the free agency waters after this season. Jokinen has said on numerous occasions, however, that he wants to work out a long-term deal.

 

NEWS, NOTES

 

Veteran forward Gary Roberts missed his first game of the season Thursday, sitting out to rest a strained groin that has bothered him since last week. With Roberts out, Serge Payer made his 2005 debut.

 

? NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is scheduled to make his first appearance in South Florida since the lockout ended when the Panthers play host to Buffalo on Saturday.

 

? Defenseman Eric Cairns got into the first fight for Florida this season just more than two minutes into the game when he and Colton Orr mixed it up.

 

Less than a minute later, Chris Gratton and Patrick Leahy dropped the gloves.

 

 

Miami Herald

So I guess he's the Panthers version of AJ Burnett, except he doesn't trash the team and he's actually good.

 

Just kidding just kidding.....