Roberto Luongo is busy taking part in Team Canada's Orientation Camp in Calgary. But, that hasn't stopped the rumour mill from churning out various reports that the Canucks' captain is about to sign a contract extension with Vancouver. It's no surprise Luongo and the team are hoping to come to terms on a deal before the start of the 2009-10 NHL Season - it's just a matter of when.
The deal is said to be in the neighbourhood of a six-year deal, worth more than $6.5 million (US).
Prior to becoming a Canuck, Luongo played for the New York Islanders and the Florida Panthers.
Playing major junior in the QMJHL for the Val-d'Or Foreurs and the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, Luongo was drafted fourth overall by the Islanders in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, making him, at the time, the highest drafted goalie in NHL history. He was a Vezina Trophy nominee with Florida in 2004, and once more in his first season with Vancouver in 2007. Both years he was the first runner-up to Martin Brodeur. In 2007, he was also nominated for the Lester B. Pearson Award and the Hart Memorial Trophy, but was the first runner-up to Sidney Crosby for both awards.
Luongo is one of five Canadian goaltenders vying for a spot on the Men's National Team that will represent Canada at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.
