Goalie Roberto Luongo Signs 12-Year Extension With Canucks

The parade of NHL contracts lasting more than a decade continues.

For the Vancouver Canucks, this one is likely the most significant. Goalie Roberto Luongo, the rock of the Canucks' defense for three years, has agreed to terms on a 12-year deal with Vancouver. The contract will keep him a Canucks through the 2021-2022 season, meaning Luongo will turn 43 at the end of the deal's final season.

The Canucks had been working on a deal with the star goaltender, whose contract was set to expire after the 2009-2010 season. Complicating matters was the expectation that the NHL's salary cap is expected to drop after this season. Luongo had no desire to negotiate during the season, so there was a deadline set for Sept. 13 to get this done.

Vancouver did not confirm the amount of money in this deal, but there are reports that have it worth $64 million, meaning Luongo's cap number will actually fall during the deal, from $7.5 million this season to an average of $5.33 million. If this deal is structured like other controversial long-term contracts that have been handed out in the NHL recently, it should pay Luongo a significant percentage of that $64 million in the first six to eight years.

Luongo's teammates are understandably excited to have him back long-term.

"You've seen what Roberto has done for us all the years he's been with us," said defenceman Sami Salo following a brisk skate at UBC. "He's the No. 1 part of the group of this club."

"He's a great leader, great teammate and everybody knows what he can do on the ice so we're really happy to have him back," added forward Alex Burrows.

This is the longest deal given to a goaltender since Rick DiPietro signed a 15-year contract with the New York Islanders back in 2006.