Canucks Trade Bertuzzi
Posted June 23, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Vancouver Canucks traded Todd Bertuzzi for star Florida Panther goalie Roberto Luongo on Friday.
After a disappointing return to N.H.L. action following the lockout and his infamous attack on Colorado’s Steve Moore, Bertuzzi’s status in the city became precarious. It didn’t help that the Canucks failed to qualify for the playoffs and Bertuzzi had become a distraction in the dressing due to his infamy and constant media attention.
The Canucks will also receive defenceman Lukas Krajicek and a sixth round pick in Saturday’s N.H.L. draft.
The Panthers get goalie Alex Auld and Bryan Allen.
Luongo, who is a year away from unrestricted free agency, is considered one of the league’s most talented goalies.
Bertuzzi, who was also approaching free agency, was charged with assault and plead guilty following his attack on Moore. Moore suffered a broken neck and several other injuries. He hasn’t yet returned to the ice.
For his action Bertuzzi served a 17-month suspension and missed 13 regular-season games and the 2004 playoffs.
