VANCOUVER — As the Vancouver Canucks dig a deeper foundation for their youth movement, the National Hockey League's hottest team is the Florida Panthers, led by 36-year-old goalie Roberto Luongo and 43-year-old forward Jaromir Jagr.
The Panthers have four other players, including 38-year-old Port McNeill defenceman Willie Mitchell, who are at least 34.
"I didn't go there to just retire," Luongo, the ex-Canuck who is having a Vezina Trophy-calibre season, said after the Panthers skated ahead of tonight's game in Vancouver (7 p.m. Pacific, on Sportsnet Pacific, TSN 1040). "I went there to turn the corner of the franchise and get them back in the playoffs and make a run.