The Canucks have made their first move in negotiations with new goaltender Roberto Luongo Monday, making a qualifying offer to the restricted free agent, and there is more to come according to CKNW 980 AM in Vancouver.
The Canucks qualified Luongo at $3.2 million, which gives the club his rights for the 2006-07 season, but the radio station is also reporting that Luongo's agent, Gilles Lupien, will meet with his client in Montreal this week to discuss the prospects of a long term deal.
Luongo, 27, played 75 games with the Florida Panthers in 2005-06, posting a record of 35-30-9 with a 2.97 GAA and a .914 save percentage. Over his five-year NHL career, Luongo has played a total of 341 games, with a record of 115-168-41, a 2.72 GAA and a .919 save percentage.
Lupien, as you would expect, praised the Canucks today while taking a few pot shots at the Panthers.
"It was completely different," Lupien said after his initial discussion on Friday night with Nonis. "(With the Panthers) it was, 'We want five (years) and shut your mouth.'
"There (in Florida) it was, 'It's five years or we're going to trade you.'"
That's a good start