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Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon fielded questions via conference call late Tuesday afternoon, hours after shaking the professional hockey landscape by acquiring Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo for forward Shawn Matthias and goaltender Jacob Markstrom.
Tallon revealed that initial dialogue between the two teams began with much lesser intent Monday afternoon, but after the Canucks asked if they were still interested in their contract-strapped goaltender, talks intensified and spilled over into the morning.
Aside from admitting that he had not yet spoken with incumbent goaltender Tim Thomas (a surely entertaining chat scheduled for Wednesday), the most intriguing point of interest was Tallon's confirmation that the Canucks will eat 15 percent of the 34-year-old Luongo's salary moving forward.
Upon this season's conclusion, Luongo is still owed nearly $34 million over the next seven seasons, leaving the Canucks on the hook for over $5 million.
Tallon recognized that he was giving up two good young players to receive "a proven commodity," but admitted that it was "time" for the Panthers to part with Matthias and Markstrom.
He also confirmed that goaltender Scott Clemmensen would have to spend some time in San Antonio with the Panthers' AHL affiliate.
For our full analysis on the Luongo deal, follow the story line below.
