More Roberto Luongo Trade Scenarios

        The other day, I posted on why the Vancouver Canucks should trade Roberto Luongo to the Edmonton Oilers for the first overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. After writing that, I began to think of other possible trade scenarios involving Roberto Luongo. Before I get to those scenarios, a statement that Luongo made yesterday must be mentioned first. When asked if he would waive his no-trade clause, he said, "Yeah, of course, if they ask me to. I always want to put the team ahead of me first. I don't want to be one of those selfish guys." Luongo is clearly open to a trade, and Cory Schneider has emerged as "the guy" for Vancouver. Luongo has ten years left on a twelve year contract at 64 million dollars. This can be too much money to undertake for most teams, but it could work for others:


New Jersey Devils


        Martin Brodeur is either on his way out of the league, or he is going to take a huge pay cut. He's simply not the goaltender he once was, because of his age. Luongo could fill the starting role, leaving Brodeur to back him up. This could only work if the Devils do not re-sign Zach Parise this summer, as Zach Parise is making six million dollars this year, more than Luongo's 5.3 million dollars. Money-wise, Luongo could fit in on New Jersey, under the salary cap, giving New Jersey another star goaltender. But, the Devils would have to give up a lot for Luongo. And I mean a lot. This scenario is probably not the route that New Jersey should take, as the have a nice group of core players in their line-up, and bringing in Luongo will majorly shake things up, but it is a scenario that is certainly possible.


Florida Panthers


        Yes, it is quite possible that Roberto Luongo can return to the team that made him famous: the Florida Panthers. Just before the Panthers traded him to Vancouver, he bought a house in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Luongo and his wife Gina still own that house, and spend their summers there. Luongo would definitely waive his no-trade clause to go back to his house in Florida, infact, that would be a perfect situation for him. Also, the Panthers have roughly 23 million dollars available in cap space. That is more than enough room to take on Luongo's hefty contract. Again, this trade would require the Panthers to give up a lot, but it is definitely more possible that we see Roberto Luongo go to the Panthers, than New Jersey, because he has a Florida house, and would rather live there.

        Whether or not he stays in Vancouver this off-season, it's going to be very interesting to see how this situation works out for the Vancouver Canucks and Roberto Luongo. What do you think will happen with Luongo?