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Luongo to Tortorella: ‘I just want to play’

Roberto Luongo

Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo speaks to the media in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, May 9, 2013. The Canucks were eliminated from the NHL hockey 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs series in four games by the San Jose Sharks. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)

AP

It’s never dull in Vancouver when it comes to Roberto Luongo’s status with the team. He’s been very quiet most of the summer, save for the occasional tweet here and there, but one guy who’s kept up with him is his new coach, John Tortorella.

Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun spoke with Tortorella (it’s a great interview, by the way) and finds out the coach is very much working on his relationship with Luongo.

“He knows there is a lot of talk and probably a lot of questions coming his way with how it all unfolded here,” Tortorella said. “I think he’s prepared for that and the bottom line is he told me “I just want to play.” I think that is the most important thing, if there is some conflict or you are unhappy about certain things, the bottom line is and he understands it, is that he is playing for his teammates. Those are the most important people.”

Rumors about Luongo not being happy coming back to Vancouver after the Canucks dealt Cory Schneider this summer instead of him have persisted. His seeming aloofness has kept the rumor mill going.

If Luongo is unhappy about things, stressing how the team needs him is a good way to appeal to him. After all, it’s not like he’s getting traded now. If it didn’t happen in the last two years, it’s not about to now.

Related: Canucks assistant GM can’t say if Luongo will be happy at training camp

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