Mar 22, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo (1) warms up before the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Canucks defeated the Stars 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE

The trade rumors have been swirling around Roberto Luongo for months now.  The hockey press has speculated possible destinations for Bobby Lu, but the All-Star goaltender has made it no secret how he wants to these talks to end: with him back in Sunrise to play again for the Florida Panthers.  But because star athletes don’t always have things roll their way when talks between teams get going, it doesn’t look like a return to Florida is in the cards for Luongo right now.  The Panthers just don’t have a need at the position right now, and the future is also set with Jacob Markstrom in the wings.  Also when you factor in the huge albatross contract of Luongo, a trade to the small-market franchise seems even more unlikely.

But as implicit as Luongo has been about his first choice, he was been a little more than vague about secondary options.  Teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks have demonstrated need in the net, so a trade for a high-quality goaltender makes sense.  And as far as we know (if we choose to ignore some unreliable twitter sources), Luongo hasn’t outright declared he would not accept a trade to either of those two cities.

But Luongo realizes that even though he wants to leave Vancouver since he will no longer have the starting gig, he doesn’t want to totally tie Canucks GM Mike Gillis’ hands.  His quote to Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel yesterday proves it:

[The Panthers] makes sense for myself, for my career and my family.  This is a preferred location for obvious reasons, but I’m not shutting the door on other possibilities.

Even though the Panthers are choice number one, Luongo realizes that demanding a trade to that spot only will almost guarantee he won’t get traded.  Dale Tallon is not willing to part with anybody special, and Mike Gillis is demanding some top notch prospects in return.  The two are in a stalemate, and this is only assuming that Tallon still wants anything to do with Luongo.

The term he uses, “other possibilities”, mostly just appears to be a sort of empty phrase.  It stands to reason that if Luongo really had any interest in going to a place like Toronto or Chicago, a deal would have been made by now.  The Hawks and Leafs are willing to give up much more for a goalie than the Panthers would, and Gillis could certainly strike a better deal with those teams.

It’s becoming more and more obvious to everyone in the hockey world that there are only two possible outcomes to this Luongo trade fiasco.  It will either end with the Panthers finally deciding to give a little and trade for Luongo  (which is unlikely), or Vancouver will just have to stick with both Schneider and Luongo between the pipes for another year.

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Oct 15, 2011: Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Ed Jovanovski (55) and Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Steve Downie (9) during the second period at the BankAtlantic Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

With the first pick in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, the Florida Panthers select defencemen, Ed Jovanovksi. Before being drafted by the Panthers, Jovanovski played his major junior hockey for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League. While in the OHL, Jovanovski quickly made a name for himself, scoring 50 points in his first year and 65 in his second season. In the two seasons spent in the OHL, Jova was able to capture a spot on the all-rookie first team; first team all-star’s and second team all-star. After an impressive two years, the Panthers knew they had to have him.

In his first season with the Panthers, Jovanovski was voted onto the all-rookie team and was a runner up for the rookie of the year trophy. Jovanovski was just what the Panthers needed, a player who was able to help contribute on the offense while also playing great defense. He also didn’t take anything from anyone. In fact, during the preseason of his rookie year, Jovanovski broke his hand in a fight, causing him to miss the first eleven games of the regular season. During his first tenure with the Panthers, Jovanovski continuously received suspensions from the NHL for fighting. He also missed several games due to injuries. Mid-way through the 99’ season Jovanovski was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in a seven player deal that sent Hall of Famer Pavel Bure to the Panthers.

Soon after being traded from the Panthers, Jovanovski established himself as an elite defender in the league. For three straight seasons Jovanovski won the Babe Pratt Trophy, which is awarded each year to the Canucks best defender. Not only was he awarded this trophy three straight seasons, but Jovanovski also appeared in three All-Star games while playing for Vancouver. Unfortunately for Jovanovski his time as a Canucks would end after the team decided to not offer him a new contract after the 05-06’ season.

The team that was lucky enough to sign Ed was the Phoenix Coyotes. In his five years with Phoenix Jovanovski was able to make two more All-Star appearances. However, his time in Phoenix wasn’t always the best. Season after season, Jovanovski was constantly battling a variety of injuries. When his contract was up, the Coyotes decided not to resign the veteran defender.

Yet again, Jovanovski was unwanted by a team and looking for work. Despite his increasing age, numerous injuries, and low production on the ice, Jovanovski found a new team and it didn’t take long. The team that decided to take a chance on Jovanovski was none other than the Florida Panthers. The kid returned to the team that drafted him as a man and a player that could help groom some of that younger talent. Although last season Jovanovski’s statistics weren’t anything to rave about, his presence on the ice was worth every penny the Cats spent on him. Last season Jovanovski took rookie defender Erik Gudbranson under his wing as the two were constantly matched up together on the blue line.

April 24, 2012; Newark, NJ, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Erik Gudbranson (44) and right wing Kris Versteeg (32) celebrate Versteeg

This year it’s a little different. Many are speculating that Jovanovski is done and this could very well be it for him. Yes, he is on the downside of his career, there is no denying that, but Jovanovski has plenty left in the tank coming into this season. Last year Jovanovski averaged 16 minutes and 42 seconds on the ice per game. This year, that time might have to be cut down a little bit. However, if the Panthers could get 12-14 minutes per game out of Jovanovski, they would be getting a whole lot. He might not be the aggressor that he used to be, but he is now also a lot more mature. His knowledge of the game is through the roof. While he is out on the ice this season, don’t look for him to have a huge year scoring wise, because let’s face it, that’s not who he is anymore. This year will be another year of Jovanovski helping out the younger guys, while also giving the Panthers good minutes. The experience and knowledge of the game that he possesses is invaluable. Next season it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Jovanovski scores about the same amount of points he did last season, right around the 10-12 mark.

This season should be a good one to Jovanovski as he can continue to spread his knowledge of the game throughout the locker room while still having the chance to be a big contributor for the Panthers.

Thanks For Reading!

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April 1, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Brian Campbell (51) skates with the puck against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

Defenseman Brian Campbell had solid first year with the Florida Panthers. In fact, not only did Campbell have a good year last season; he had a career year. It’s great to see a veteran player like Campbell come in, take a leadership role, and start producing but will his great numbers continue?

In the 2011-12 season Campbell put up 53 points for the Panthers and was a relentless assist man. The only other time in his career that he even came remotely close to those kind of numbers was in the 2008-09 season with the Chicago Blackhawks when Campbell racked up 52 points.

Defensive Changes

Despite his high number of points Campbell only had four goals for the entire season, which means he was making his living last year passing the puck and being a quarterback on the point. He’ll likely continue this role next season but there have been a couple of key personnel changes that may affect Campbell’s ability produce points.

The most notable difference next season will be the absence of Jason Garrison who led the charge on the Panthers’ power play and had a nice cannon from the back end. Garrison led the Cats in goals by a defenseman last year and his presence will surely be missed. The heir apparent to Garrison is Filip Kuba, who is a solid defenseman but like Campbell, has more of a tendency to pass the puck rather than shoot it.

The First Line

Fortunately for Campbell and the Panthers, the rest of last season’s first line will return in tact next season. Kris Versteeg, Stephen Weiss, and Tomas Fleischmann will all return as a first line unit and the Cats the young prospect Jonathan Huberdeau will also hit the ice in Sunrise next season, giving Campbell plenty of worthy outlets to push the puck off to.

Defense is a funny position. Most hockey fans don’t pay too much attention to stats like blocks and hits. In the NHL it’s all about how many points you put up, no matter what your position is. Campbell has put up good points in almost all of his NHL seasons but the most important things he brings tot eh table are the intangibles that aren’t tracked by a stat sheet. Not only is he one of the best defenders in the league, he’s a natural leader on the ice. Fortunately the Cats inherited Campbell’s contract that will keep him in South Florida until 2016.

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