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Luongo Holding All The Cards, Saying Very Little

October 28, 2012, 11:41 PM ET [112 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
While most of the Northeastern US and Eastern Canada will be getting hammered by rain and powerful gusts from Hurricane Sandy over the next 48 to 72 hours, the trade winds on the West Coast are at a standstill involving goaltender Roberto Luongo.

Luongo was interviewed by the Vancouver Sun Saturday before a poker event at a Richmond, BC casino and did his best to avoid discussing the Canucks goaltending dilemma and subsequent rumors that he will be dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs once a collective bargaining agreement has been reached.

"I don't want to speculate on anything because there are a lot of rumors," Luongo said.

The veteran netminder stated that things are status quo for now and that nothing will be forthcoming until the NHL lockout has ended.

"Obviously, when the time comes and I do have to make a decision we'll make one with the best interests for myself, the team and all that kind of stuff, but for now I think my focus is just on being ready to play no matter where that is."

The report specified that the 33 year old veteran has a no-trade clause in his contract and that there have been no recent conversations with Vancouver GM Mike Gillis regarding waiving the clause or providing a list of teams he would be willing to be traded to.

"Mike never asked me for a specific list, so I have never given him a list of five teams or anything like that." Luongo said. "We did speak over the summer about certain teams, but that was nothing concrete."

While it is widely known that his first choice is to return to Florida, where he has an off-season home, Luongo did not close the door to other possible destinations.

"At this point in time, I think we all know what the situation is with me, but there are many teams out there that I'll consider for sure."

The off-season has been a difficult one for the Olympic gold medal winning goalie, who lost his starting job to understudy Cory Schneider during the series against the eventual Stanley Cup Champion winning Los Angeles Kings.

"It has been a bit of up and down in the summer. You hear stuff like everybody else does and you wonder what is going on exactly. I try to not pay too much attention until I get it from the source itself, either from my agent or Mike. I haven't been in contact with him too much over the summer and, obviously, during the lockout I haven't spoken to him at all. We're just going to wait and see. I'm getting ready as if I am coming back here for training camp when it's over and if things change we'll take care of that when it comes."

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