Goaltender Roberto Luongo finally has the long-term deal he's always wanted, signing a four-year, $27 million US contract with the Vancouver Canucks.
According to CKNW Radio in Vancouver, the new deal will pay Luongo $6 million US in the first year, $6.5 million US in the second year, $7 million US in the third year, and $7.5 million US in the final year. The contract also contains a no-trade clause for the final three years.
"We are pleased to have agreed to a long-term deal with Roberto today," Vancouver GM Dave Nonis said in a release.
"Roberto has proven himself to be an elite goaltender. His international experience, Vezina Trophy nomination and ability to consistently play at the highest level are tremendous assets that we believe will make the Vancouver Canucks competitive each and every night."
The Canucks and Florida Panthers completed a multi-player trade involving Luongo last week, with Vancouver sending Todd Bertuzzi, Bryan Allen and Alexander Auld to Florida for Luongo, Lukas Krajicek and a 2006 sixth round pick.
The Canucks qualified Luongo at $3.2 million US earlier this week, which gave the club his rights for the 2006-07 season, but Luongo's agent Gilles Lupien also met with his client in Montreal this week to discuss the prospects of a long term deal.
His $6.75-million average salary matches Chicago's Nikolai Khabibulin for the highest-paid by any goaltender in the NHL.
"It's up to me to deliver," Luongo said Thursday.
"The Canucks have had a great team over the last few years. Unfortunately they had a few injuries last season and didn't make it but they're committed to winning. And that's really important for an organization. That's something that I really respect.
"There's no doubt in my mind that once I get started, we're going to make a run for the Stanley Cup and that's why I'm coming there."
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.
He was also part of Canada's Olympic team in Turin and captured back-to-back gold medals when he starred in net for Team Canada at the 2003 and 2004 IIHF world championships.