If the Vancouver Canucks want to move Roberto Luongo this summer, the veteran netminder won't stand in anyone's way.
In his final media availability of the season in Vancouver on Tuesday, Luongo told reporters he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause if general manager Mike Gillis asked him to.
"It's going to be what's best for the team," said Luongo. "Whatever scenario that is, I'm okay with it - whether that involves me being here or not is okay. We've got a lot of potential in this locker room, there's a great core of guys, and the chance to do something special."
"They've got a guy [Schneider] here that is going to be a superstar in this league for the next 10, 12, 15 years," said Luongo. "It is a business and that's the way it goes. I loved being here the last six years. I think my career has really taken off and we did some incredible things. If I'm here in the future, then great. If I'm not, that's good also."
Luongo, 33, signed a 12-year, $64 million contract extension with the Canucks in 2009.
"I don't want to be one of those guys that will stand in the way of anything, I always want to put the team ahead of me and not be one of those selfish guys," said Luongo. "There haven't been any decisions made, but over the course of the next little while we'll talk to Mike (Gillis) and make that decision."
With Luongo in goal, the Canucks won the President's Trophy and advanced to the Stanley Cup Final last season, where they fell to the Boston Bruins in seven games. In their regular season rematch on Jan. 7, the Canucks raised a few eyebrows when Schneider got the start - a 4-3 Vancouver win - at TD Banknorth Garden.
Luongo played the first two games of the opening round against the Los Angeles Kings in the postseason and the Canucks fell behind 2-0 in the series, prompting head coach Alain Vigneault to go with Schneider the rest of the way.
According to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie, the market might be limited for Luongo if the Canucks decide to deal him because of his contract.
"Luongo's contract is a big pill to swallow for a lot of teams, and that's going to affect what the Canucks will get in exchange," McKenzie said on SportsCentre. " If they trade him, the biggest thing they'll get, and it's important, is cap space."
