Report: Canucks trade goalie Roberto Luongo to Panthers

Roberto Luongo will return to Florida, where he played five seasons earlier in his career. (Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) The Vancouver Canucks have traded

Roberto Luongo will return to Florida, where he played five seasons earlier in his career. (Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)

The Vancouver Canucks have traded veteran goalie Roberto Luongo to the Florida Panthers, according to Renaud Lavoie of Journal de Montreal.

The three-time All-Star had seen his playing time diminish last season, but he regained his spot as Vancouver's No. 1 goalie this year. Speculation regarding a Luongo trade intensified as the deadline approached, and Luongo was benched in favor of Eddie Lack for last weekend's Heritage Classic game.

In exchange for the 34-year old Luongo, the Panthers will send goaltender Jakob Markstrom and center Shawn Matthias to Vancouver, according to Chris Johnston of Rogers SportsNet.

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Luongo had previously played for Florida from 2000-2006.

#panthers are sending Jacob Markstrom and another player to #canucks for Roberto Luongo #tvasports

— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) March 4, 2014

It sounds like Shawn Matthias is heading to the #canucks along with Jacob Markstrom.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 4, 2014