Damnit Keenan, either trade him for a superstar or offer him a max contract.

 

Roberto Luongo won't have to wait much longer to find out where he stands with the Florida Panthers.

 

It's expected Luongo will learn his fate shortly after the NHL rings in the New Year.

 

And while there has been speculation the Panthers are going to deal the 26-year-old goaltender, Florida GM Mike Keenan hasn't had any serious trade talks with any other team about Luongo.

 

Don't be surprised if the Panthers try to sign Luongo, a restricted free agent July 1, to a long-term deal before the end of this season because Keenan wants to keep the franchise netminder in the fold.

 

It just so happens Luongo's Montreal-based agent, Gilles Lupien, is in South Florida this week. He'll try to arrange a face-to-face meeting with Keenan to see exactly how Luongo fits into the Panthers' future.

 

Though the Panthers offered Luongo a five-year, $25-million (all figures US) contract last summer, he decided to take his chances with arbitration and received a one-year, $3.2-million contract this year.

 

But the word is the arbitration process left a sour taste in Luongo's mouth because he didn't get what he was seeking. To make matters worse, he wasn't happy goalie coach Clint Malarchuk was fired and replaced by coach Jacques Martin's close friend, Phil Myre.

 

All this has added up to Luongo struggling this season and there were even suggestions he had played himself off the Olympic team. Naturally, that wasn't the case, because Team Canada knows what he can do.

 

So does Keenan and that's why he's in no hurry to trade him. But the Panthers want to find out what kind of commitment Luongo is willing to make to Florida. In other words, is he interested in signing a four or five-year deal with the club?

 

If the Panthers make what they believe is a significant offer and Luongo turns it down, then Keenan might start looking around the trade market to see what teams might offer in return.

 

There's been speculation Colorado GM Pierre Lacroix has been trying to acquire Luongo, but sources say the only team that has been called is the Boston Bruins and that's when they were trying to deal Joe Thornton.

 

Ideally, Keenan would like to keep Luongo. Next month, Keenan will put his money where his mouth is and possibly make Luongo an offer he can't refuse.

 

http://ottsun.canoe.ca/Sports/Hockey/2005/...374102-sun.html

Really, they've got to keep him.

luongo + Horton = Bright Future

 

No Luongo= Same old crap