Roberto Luongo is a franchise icon; unquestionably the very best player
in Florida Panthers history.

Heading into the 2018-19 campaign, Luongo not only leads the Panthers in
franchise wins, with 212 - double his next-closest competitor, he sits fourth
in National Hockey League history with 471 total victories, and should, at the
 very least, catch Ed Belfour (484 wins) for third all-time before his career
is through.

He's proved popular off the ice, as well, from participating in TSN skits to
his fun-loving, self-deprecating Twitter account.



On a more serious note, he's also taken a real leading role in the community,
including giving a heartfelt, emotional address to fans at the BB&T Center
following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.



The good-natured Montréaler is as recognisable a figure in the South Florida
community off the ice as he is on it, and is as good a representative and
salesman of hockey as the Panthers could ever hope to have.

However, with Luongo turning 40 this upcoming campaign, it's not unreasonable
to wonder what the future holds for the netminding legend.Luongo Still Amongst
NHL';s Best Goaltenders

Certainly, any changes to Luongo's status won';t be a result of his on-ice
performance.

Always a tremendous talent, Luongo is still well-above average when it comes to
 NHL netminders, bordering on elite.

Luongo ranked fourth this past season in save percentage (.929) amongst all NHL
 goaltenders who started 10 games or more. After returning from injury in
February, he started 18 of Florida's final 30 games, winning 12 of them and
helping haul the slow-starting Panthers to within a point of the playoffs. His
on-ice efforts, along with his community leadership, made him a finalist for
the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

Just two years previous, in 2015-16, Luongo won 35 games and posted a .922 SV%,
 leading the Panthers to the Atlantic Division title, earning Hart and Vezina
votes along the way.Luongo';s Evolution Key to Success

But perhaps even more impressive than Luongo's ongoing statistical brilliance
has been the complete reinvention of his game.

Once a more aggressive goaltender with a style that relied heavily on
athleticism, Luongo has become much more patient and reserved in his crease.
He's more willing to let the play come to him, before leveraging his
six-foot-three, 217-pound frame and near-perfect technique to frustrate
opponents.

Former Vancouver Canucks batterymate Cory Schneider referred to him as "a
tactician and a perfectionist," and not "content to just sit back and let the
game pass him by."Luongo has altered his playing style considerably as he';s
grown older, to great success. (Jerome Miron / USA TODAY Sports)

Not only has Luongo stabilised and improved his on-ice results, his new, less
physically demanding style is one that should serve him quite well as he ages.

It takes real talent, skill and dedication to make it to the top. It takes
something a whole lot more special to ensure one stays there.Luongo's Injury
History Worrying

Despite his impressive numbers, Luongo only played in 35 games in 2017-18 (33
starts), limited by hand, groin and rib injuries. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman
 even said he thought, at one point this past season, Luongo's career might be
over. (time stamp is 27:29)

Though Luongo returned from injury and played a major role in the Panthers'
valiant push for the playoffs, it's worth noting he also missed significant
time the year previous, nursing a hip injury related to surgery he underwent in
 the summer of 2016.

At 39 going on 40, perhaps Luongo, after years of heavy workloads - he's played
 in the third-most games, and has faced (and stopped!) the second-most shots of
 any goaltender in NHL history - is finally feeling the effects of playing the
most demanding position in the most demanding league in one of the most
demanding sports.

For the remainder of his career, the Panthers will have to balance the need for
 Luongo's still-exceptional standard of play with the need to give him the time
 he needs to ensure his body remains in peak fighting form.Luongo's Contract
Opens Door for Retirement

Luongo has four years left on a contract that counts for $4.533 million against
 the salary cap each season for the Panthers (the Canucks, who signed him to
the deal, retained $800,000 in the 2014 trade that brought Luongo back to the
Cats).

Undoubtedly, his desire to win a Stanley Cup is still aflame, but, like most
professional athletes, Luongo will have to be in constant evaluation of his
situation; whether the desire to win, camaraderie and compensation is still
worth the increasing effort and mounting injuries, not to mention being away
from one's family half the year. It really seems as though he's now on a
year-to-year basis when it comes to continuing his career.Luongo still appears
to have plenty of gas in the tank, but statistics alone don';t tell the whole
story. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

A closer look at his contract suggests Luongo might consider retiring early.
Cap hit aside, Luongo's actual salary drops from $6.714 million in 2017-18 to
$3.382 million this coming year. In 2019-20, it falls even further, to $1.618
million, before levelling off at an even $1 million the final two seasons.

There are a few contracts like this in the league, most of which were signed
before the 2012-13 lockout. Coming out of said lockout, contracts were capped
at eight years (seven, if issued by a team other than the team one ended one's
previous contract with), and new salary variance rules were introduced.

Still, these new rules did nothing to alter Luongo';s deal, nor others like
it.Luongo';s Contract Structure Leaves Panthers in Limbo

Looking at comparable examples around the NHL, it seems that, at the time of
signing, there was often little intent on the part of either side to see the
contract through to its conclusion. Henrik Zetterberg literally admitted as
such, and Marian Hossa's de facto retirement was just a little too convenient
(just to be clear, he technically isn't yet retired, by the letter of the
law).

The point is, after having been paid over $60 million of his $64 million deal,
it's not unreasonable to suggest Luongo might just choose to retire following
the 2018-19 season. Even if he doesn';t, it'd be a huge surprise if he actually
 plays out his contract, which ends after the 2021-22 campaign.Will Luongo play
 out the remainder of his contract? (Christopher Hanewinckel / USA TODAY
Sports)

Now, it wasn't the Panthers that signed his contract, but they had to have
known this was a possibility - that it was likely, even - when they dealt for
him back in 2014. No doubt the Cats have contingency plans, so we'll just have
to wait and see what those are, should Luongo's early retirement indeed come to
 fruition.Canucks Dreading Luongo Cap Recapture

An interesting aside: Perhaps it's not the Panthers who should be worrying most
 about Luongo's early retirement.

The Canucks, who signed Luongo to his 12-year, $64 million contract back in
2009 (it kicked in for the 2010-11 season) will be on the hook for a
significant chunk of change should the 39-year-old choose to retire early. The
 Panthers will face a nominal fee, true, but the penalty could severely cripple
 the Canucks.

The NHL implementing a retroactive punishment for teams that signed contracts
that were legal at the time may not seem entirely fair, but the league did it
anyway, and the Canucks have to be hoping and praying Luongo lasts the duration
 of his deal.Luongo Has No Shortage of Options

Of course, all this speculation may be for naught. Luongo could well continue
his strong play far into his 40s, playing out his contract and riding off into
the South Florida sunset a legendary figure of the game.Luongo is an
indispensable part of hockey in South Florida. (Steve Mitchell / USA TODAY
Sports)

Given the arsenal of talent the Panthers have been amassing up front, he might
just have a Stanley Cup ring when he does.

Regardless, Luongo will have no shortage of options once he decides his on-ice
career is at an end.

I'm sure the Panthers would love to keep him within the organisation in some
capacity. He could also literally walk into a job in broadcasting or punditry.
Heck, he could run for office and stand a pretty good chance at winning.

Whatever the future holds for Luongo, the ball is decidedly in his court.

The post The Future of Panthers' Luongo appeared first on The Hockey Writers.

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