There is a September 13 deadline in place for Roberto Luongo and the Vancouver Canucks to agree on terms for a new contract, reports The Globe and Mail.
The All-Star goaltender said on Wednesday at Hockey Canada's 2010 Olympic summer orientation camp, that he does not want the talks to be a distraction and is not interested in negotiating after the start of Canucks' training camp.
"We're trying to get it done before camp," Luongo said in Calgary on Wednesday. "If it doesn't happen before camp, I will not be negotiating during the season. I don't want to have that distraction," Luongo is entering the final year of a four-year, $27 million contract contract. He will make $7.5-million for the 2009-10 season.
"I'd prefer that we have it wrapped up [by the start of training camp]," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis told the Globe and Mail. "We're all confident that we're moving in the right direction."
Gillis also said he is hopeful both sides will agree on a new deal by the deadline.
Last season, the 30-year-old where he posted a 33-13-7 record with nine shutouts and a 2.34 goals-against average.
