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.

 

Thats a bulls*** rule about the no-trade clause. Whatever.

 

 

And if Jovocop returned, I'd officially vindicate the Panthers of the Bure trade.

hmm bad news for roberto if he isnt locked up long term right away. But good news also in the article.

 

eitehr way next year the Panthers should go deep into the playoffs

A 1 year contract with a no-trade clause - WTF?

If Jovocop returns, I will officially devote myself to the Panthers.

He wants a no-trade clause. And the NHL CBA does not allow clubs to give Trade Clauses to RFAs apparently. Luongo will not sign long term till he is able to be given one.

will the panthers give him one or are they like the Marlins and dont give such things?

they would, sure. Just gave Olli Jokinen one.

they would, sure. Just gave Olli Jokinen one.

Olli was an UFA, though. Luongo still has one more year of RFA.

If Jovocop returns, I will officially devote myself to the Panthers.

 

 

What if Chris Wells comes back?

 

"Chrish Wellsh is gonna be a shupershtar"-Former Panther GM/team destroyer Bryan "Captain BM" Murray

If Jovocop returns, I will officially devote myself to the Panthers.

 

 

What if Chris Wells comes back?

 

"Chrish Wellsh is gonna be a shupershtar"-Former Panther GM/team destroyer Bryan "Captain BM" Murray

If you ever use the words Chris and Wells in a forum talking about the Panthers, I will personally find a way to have you permanently banned. Those words are sacriligeous. Not only did Bryan Murray trade one of my hero's away to get him, Chris Wells ended up as the worst trade bust in Panthers history.

 

 

:mad

I don't blame Luongo. He wants to make sure he is a Panther for life. Give him a one year and sign him long term next year. I wouldn't want to go to Columbus either.

If Jovocop returns, I will officially devote myself to the Panthers.

 

 

What if Chris Wells comes back?

 

"Chrish Wellsh is gonna be a shupershtar"-Former Panther GM/team destroyer Bryan "Captain BM" Murray

If you ever use the words Chris and Wells in a forum talking about the Panthers, I will personally find a way to have you permanently banned. Those words are sacriligeous. Not only did Bryan Murray trade one of my hero's away to get him, Chris Wells ended up as the worst trade bust in Panthers history.

 

 

:mad

 

Hey, I'm your side on this one! Gawd, I fondly remember Neil Rogers ripping Captain BM for that one...and even my fellow Bruin fans couldn't believe it. We were lucky he wasn't in charge up in Boston!

 

I wish I still had the anti-Captain BM buttons Neil was giving out.

 

PM me if you want a copy of the vid clip of Captain BM losing it in Ottawa after he lost a game...the F bombs are worth it...

 

Wait..that mean I can't mention former Marlin CHRIS Clapinski or Sox pitcher David WELLS?

We need Brian Skruland, Scott Melanby, Jovocop, Laus, Straka, Dvorak, Beezer, Stu Barnes, Worrell, Kozlov, and Whitney back.

We need Brian Skruland, Scott Melanby, Jovocop, Laus, Straka, Dvorak, Beezer, Stu Barnes, Worrell, Kozlov, and Whitney back.

 

 

The Panthers had a good coach...until Captain BM Knifed The Mac...

We need Brian Skruland, Scott Melanby, Jovocop, Laus, Straka, Dvorak, Beezer, Stu Barnes, Worrell, Kozlov, and Whitney back.

 

 

The Panthers had a good coach...until Captain BM Knifed The Mac...

 

Yeah. I remember what it felt like when Douggie was axed. Worst feeling in the world.

 

 

EDIT: It was the second time he axed a good coach. He took Roger Neilson away from us even though Roger had done something no other expansion franchise to date or before had done by barely missing the playoffs. Not only that, but in 94, he repeated that success of just missing the playoffs with a now maturing team. Oh well.

Hopefully the no trade clause means Roberto wants to stay here so he'll sign a long term deal next year. Either way, having him at least next season will lead to some playoff action.

It would be great if we got jovocop back. While we are at it lets bring back big pete