Music: {allcanada} LUONGO CLEARS THE AIR ON TRADE FRONT

Monday, October 29, 2012

{allcanada} LUONGO CLEARS THE AIR ON TRADE FRONT

The Vancouver Sun relays that Roberto Luongo was made available for interviews Saturday morning at the River Rock Casino in Richmond to garner publicity for his participation this weekend in two World Series of Poker circuit events, but he didn't have much interest in talking about whether he could soon be wearing Maple Leafs' blue.

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

Some reports in recent days have suggested a Luongo-to-Toronto trade is all but done.

But Luongo said until something happens -- and nothing will until the NHL lockout ends -- he considers himself a Vancouver Canuck.

"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," he said. "But for now I think my focus is just on being ready to play no matter where that is."

Luongo, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, said he has not spoken with Canuck general manager Mike Gillis for quite some time and has not given him a specific list of teams he'd be willing to go to.

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

Luongo has 10 years remaining on his contract, which carries an annual salary cap hit of $5.33 million.

His preference is to return to the Florida Panthers. He makes his off-season home in south Florida, but indicated Saturday he'll consider all his options.

"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."

Luongo knows the emergence of Cory Schnieder means it is highly unlikely Luongo will return to Vancouver.

"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 and 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."