Panthers eyeing Luongo return next week

Roberto Luongo isn't quite ready to play just yet, but he doesn't appear to be far off.

Florida Panthers head coach Bob Boughner provided an update on the veteran goaltender's timetable from Helsinki on Wednesday.

"I think the plan is for him to " unless there's a complete surprise that I haven't heard yet, the plan is for him to probably try and play next week when we get home," Boughner told NHL.com's Brian Compton. "This is more of a rehab week."

Luongo hurt his knee when teammate Frank Vatrano fell on it in the Panthers' season opener. Florida's No. 1 netminder hasn't played since. He was expected to miss two-to-four weeks, so an early-November return would keep him on schedule.

"He does look good," Boughner said. "I know his knee feels good. So hopefully we'll hear something in the next few days what his plans are."

The Panthers and the Winnipeg Jets are in Finland for games on Thursday and Friday.

Florida's first game back from the trip will be a home date against the Edmonton Oilers on Nov. 8. That contest is the first of a three-game homestand that also includes a matchup with the New York Islanders on Nov. 10 and a clash with the Ottawa Senators on Nov. 11.

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