NHL Trade Rumors: Roberto Luongo Reportedly Won't Play for Leafs or Blackhawks

With the 2012 NHL free-agency period slated to begin July 1, the flurry of trade rumors surrounding enigmatic Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo has gone through the roof.

The latest report claims the star netminder won’t sign off on his no-trade clause to certain teams.

Blue Jackets beat writer Aaron Portzline is reporting about Luongo’s desire not to be traded to Chicago or Toronto:

"

Told by very good source #Canucks G Roberto Luongo has - to this point -- declined to waive no-trade clause to go to #Blackhawks or #Leafs.

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) June 25, 2012"

It has been no secret that Luongo is trying to escape the scrutiny of a major-market team, which is why the news of declining a possible trade to two of the biggest hockey markets in North America does not come as a surprise.

What It Means

This is Luongo throwing the wrench in what was already going to be a tentative negotiating process.

The Maple Leafs and Canucks have established a healthy rivalry, and working out deals can be difficult, to say the least. Add in the Luongo drama and this deal is heading into Mission: Impossible territory.

Toronto has been the team most aggressively chasing Luongo, but this is the time when a dark-horse, small-market organization comes out of the woodwork and takes on Roberto’s ridiculous contract.

What’s Next

With star goalie prospect Cory Schneider waiting for his time to shine with the Canucks, trading Luongo is the best move financially and for the performance of the team.

Schneider has been the Canucks’ go-to man when Luongo would drop the ball, and he has excelled in the limited time granted. It's time to let the young guy blossom.

With over $5 million a year in salary going into the Vancouver netminder’s pocket until 2022, the team must make the right move in naming Schneider the starter and wiping Luongo’s dreadful paycheck from the books.

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