Bertuzzi gets traded for Luongo

[Mo Z. Dizzle]

Panthers trade Luongo to Canucks for Bertuzzi
 
June 23, 2006

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- The Florida Panthers acquired forward Todd Bertuzzi in exchange for goaltender Roberto Luongo as part of a five-player trade with the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night.

The Canucks also sent promising young goaltender Alex Auld and defenseman Bryan Allen to the Panthers in exchange for Lukas Krajicek and a sixth-round pick in Saturday's draft in Vancouver.
 
Bertuzzi was suspended for the end of the 2003-04 season and playoffs after an on-ice attack left Colorado's Steve Moore with fractured vertebrae in his neck and a concussion that has so far prevented him from returning to the NHL.

Bertuzzi was also given a year's probation and sentenced to 80 hours of community service after pleading guilty in a Vancouver court to criminal assault and receiving a conditional discharge. He still faces a civil suit launched by Moore.

Bertuzzi had 25 goals and 71 points last season, a drop from his best season in 2002-2003, when he scored 46 goals and 51 assists. Bertuzzi has one year left on his contract for $5.3 million and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Luongo, 27, could also become a free agent next summer after turning down several offers from the Panthers, most recently because he wants a no-trade clause, something no team can offer under the new CBA until after the upcoming season.

Luongo was 35-30-0 with a 2.97 goals-against average and .914 save percentage last season, but was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender two seasons ago with a .931 save percentage.

"This is a trade that addresses a number of needs for our hockey club," Panthers general manager Mike Keenan said. "We've added an experienced and talented forward, a skilled goaltender and a strong defenseman that we expect to help our team immediately."

The Panthers had until Monday to make Luongo a qualifying offer for the 2006-07 season, but -- since they were never able to agree with Luongo on a long-term extension -- would likely have sent the goaltender elsewhere anyway before next season's trade deadline.

Without that long-term deal, or a trade, Florida conceivably could have lost Luongo and gotten nothing in return. And the Panthers -- who offered Luongo a $30 million, five-year deal in January -- simply couldn't afford to let that happen.

"I never said I wanted to leave, and I love it here in Florida," Luongo said in April, shortly after the Panthers finished their regular season but again missed the playoffs. "If things go the way they're supposed to, there shouldn't be any reason why I'm not going to be here."

Krajicek, a 23-year-old defenseman, was the Panthers' first-round pick, 24th overall, in 2001, and had two goals and 16 points in 67 games with Florida last season.

Auld, 25, is also a former Panthers' draft pick, taken in the second round in 1999. He was traded to Vancouver in 2001 and was the Canucks' MVP this season after taking over for injured starter Dan Cloutier, finishing 33-26-0 with a .902 save percentage in his first full NHL season.

With Cloutier expected to be ready for next season and since the Canucks also have Mika Noronen, a goalie was expendable -- and that was Auld, who figures to be Florida's starter next season, barring another move by the Panthers.

Earlier this month, the Panthers did not pickup the option year on Jamie McLennan's contract; McLennan was Luongo's backup last season.

Allen, 25, is another former first rounder, chosen by the Canucks fourth overall in 1998. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound defenseman had seven goals and 17 points in 77 games last season.

 
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AoY3uwimuh8TUbCVMYiqfbx7vLYF?slug=ap-panthers-canuckstrade&prov=ap&type=lgns

[Canuck]

go canucks go

[Black_Smoke]

im gonna miss Bertuzzi , he was one of my favorite canucks

Luongo is a sick goalie though so hopefully it all works out good for us

[WestCoasta]

the Kings were trying to get Luongo in a trade

they wanted to include Frolov in the trade which I didn't agree with...

oh well, done now...

[ωεεźγ ғ]

word is were pitching Cloutz and Mo for Vinny or Richards on draft day 

but i think this is highly unlikely coz clutz and mo just give Tbay the same cap problems but 2 players at 5 mil rather than 1 at 5 mil

[Canuck]

word is were pitching Cloutz and Mo for Vinny or Richards on draft day

but i think this is highly unlikely coz clutz and mo just give Tbay the same cap problems but 2 players at 5 mil rather than 1 at 5 mil

yea thats stupid, cuz then either way we are short a starter

[ωεεźγ ғ]

^ Luongo' our starter, Noronen's backup

no need for Cloutier

[Canuck]

i kno we should trade cloutier and may'be morrison but not for one player together cuz that would still leave us short one starter

[eS El Duque]

BYE BYE CLOUTIER!

[Mo Z. Dizzle]

i heard toronto was interested in cloutier

i hope they dont get him tho, i like aubin
but who knows

[Canuck]

yeah I heard that too but I think they gonna trade cloutier for a player that can play with Naslund and Mo(if he doesn't get traded) and I'm not sure who from they would get from Toronto that could fit into that role

[ωεεźγ ғ]

SUNDIN...but no

[Mo Z. Dizzle]

SUNDIN...but no

with fergeson still there, i wudnt be surprised 

[ωεεźγ ғ]

^^ it would be too much for our cap
Canucks are looking to get players well under 3 mill and theres nobody in t.o that can play w/ naslund and has a payroll that low

Meanwhile, TBay who also are in need of a goalie, have players like fedentenko and modin, who can play w/ naslund with wages that can fit into the Canucks cap structure

[MontrealCity's Most]

Here in Montreal there already rumors Luongo could be shipped out of Vancouver. He hasent agree to sign lg term with Van -city and is a free agent next year, i wount be suprised if they traded him to T Bay since he just build a home in ft Lauderdale and his wife is from  the state of Florida.

ON a personal note id rather see him in Montreal

Aebisher,Markov, Ryder - luongo