As if trying to trade Roberto Luongo wasn't proving challenging enough for Vancouver Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis. Comments out of Florida that the netminder would "prefer" to re-join the Florida Panthers, if at all possible, may have made an already unlikely move, into one that may now be almost impossible to pull off.

PHOTO CREDIT - VancouverCanucks.com

Edmonton - September 5, 2012 - As if trying to trade Roberto Luongo wasn't proving challenging enough for Vancouver Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis. Comments out of Florida that the veteran netminder would "prefer" to re-join the Florida Panthers, if at all possible, may have made an already unlikely move, into one that may now be almost impossible to pull off.

It should come as no surprise, that the four time All Star would love nothing more than return to his old stomping grounds in Florida. Yet to have him go public, as he did on Tuesday afternoon, with his desire to return to the Panthers, why on earth would anyone, including Florida, give anything up at all for the former fourth overall selection?

While the Canucks have been living in a dreamland, hoping to acquire a top six forward in exchange for the veteran puck stopper. As it currently sits, they may be hard pressed to get more than a draft pick for the Olympic gold medalist. If you're Dale Tallon and have genuine interest in adding Luongo to your lineup, you know full well that you hold all the cards...and I do mean all of them.

Vancouver desperately want to move Roberto before the season starts and avoid any sort of goaltending controversy with Cory Schneider. From the Panthers point of view, it's the complete opposite. There is no rush and they are well aware of Gillis having no other real dance partners.

Sure there is the possibility that some GM out there makes a bonehead offer to try and grab Luongo, yes I am talking directly to Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke, but they are few and far between. Can't think of many teams wanting to add a ten year contract to their books, at a $5.33 million cap hit, for a 33 year old goaltender, on the wrong side of his career

Frankly it's a no win situation for the Vancouver and one that was made that much harder yesterday afternoon. Not sure if Roberto Luongo is hoping to start the 2012 - 2013 season back in Van City but as of right now, that seems to be his most likely destination. Not exactly the best situation for either the club or player.