The Vancouver Canucks have traded goalie Roberto Luongo back to the Florida Panthers. Cheap Miami Dolphins Jerseys . Luongo rejoins the Panthers after having been traded to Vancouver eight seasons ago. The Canucks receive prospect goalie Jacob Markstrom and centre Shawn Matthias in return. Luongo had requested a trade last off-season before Cory Schneider was dealt to the New Jersey Devils. Rumours began that Luongo might want out after Eddie Lack was given the start in the Canucks Heritage Classic game with the Ottawa Senators. "I was not expecting it," Luongo told reporters shortly after the trade. "Go figure, right? Im happy for myself and my family and a little bit sad to be leaving Vancouver." Luongo spent five seasons with the Panthers from 2000-01 to 2005-06 before playing the past eight years with the Canucks. In 42 games this season, Luongo has a .917 save percentage and 2.38 goals against average. "Roberto is one of the games elite goaltenders and we are happy to welcome him back to South Florida," Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said. "With this acquisition, we have solidified our goaltending depth with a top-tiered netminder for the next several seasons." He now joins Tim Thomas, the goaltender he faced in the 2011 Stanley Cup Final when they lost to the Boston Bruins, and a young Panthers team. Asked on TSN Radio 1050 about being teammates with Thomas, Luongo laughed and said: "I dont know, well see how it goes when I get there." Luongo said he has no hard feelings towards the Canucks looking back over his eight seasons in Vancouver. "All in all it was a great run. There was a lot of stuff that happened in between but I have nothing but good things to say about the fans that were really supportive especially towards the end. This organization brought my game to another level. Its all positive stuff." Canucks president and general manager Mike Gillis spoke to the media following the trade and was asked if the Canucks planned any more moves before Wednesdays trade deadline. "I dont know if were done yet or not," Gillis said. "Were trying to get younger, get more depth and more balance." Matthias has nine goals and 16 points in 59 games for the Panthers this season. Markstrom has spent the majority of the year with the Panthers AHL affiliate in San Antonio where he was recently named AHL goalie of the month. The Canucks are also sending minor leaguer Steven Anthony to Florida and will retain 15 per cent of Luongos salary. Wholesale NFL Jerseys . Jan Hudec became the first Canadian in 20 years to win an Olympic medal in alpine skiing on Sunday when he captured a bronze in the mens super-G competition. Cheap Deportivo La Coruna Jerseys . Toronto shared the American League East lead with Baltimore just over a week ago and held a six-game lead as recently as June 6. But while the Orioles have continued stringing together wins, the Blue Jays have lost six of their last seven.PITTSBURGH -- Catcher Erik Kratz was recalled by the Toronto Blue Jays from Triple-A Buffalo before Friday nights game at the Pittsburgh Pirates. To make room on the 25-man roster, Toronto optioned right-handed reliever Chad Franklin to the International League farm team. Kratz will serve as a backup to Josh Thole. Regular starter Dioner Navarro strained his right quadriceps Thurssday and will be held out of the next few games. Cheap Detroit Tigers Jerseys. Navarro will not be placed on the disabled list according to manager John Gibbons. "We just think itll maybe be a couple days," Gibbons said. "We had to cover ourselves with another catcher." In seven games with Toronto earlier this season, Kratz batted .200 (2 for 10) with a home run and four RBIs. wholesale nfl jerseyswholesale jerseys ' ' '
