from George Richards of the Miami Herald,

After a month on crutches, Luongo began his rehabilitation and returned to the ice Aug. 5 -- and hasn't come off since.

Although Luongo said if the season started Thursday, he probably wouldn't be able to start, he says he is feeling good and plans to be in net when the Panthers actually do open their season Oct. 13 at BB&T Center against the Devils.

"I'm excited, hopeful to be where I want to be when everything gets going," Luongo said after an informal workout Wednesday morning at the IceDen in Coral Springs.

"I started skating Aug. 5 and there has been slow progression but we've ramped it up here the past week or so and it has been good.

"I'm not 100 percent; it's a five month rehab. But I'm feeling better than I thought I would. I thought it would be a slower progression, especially on the ice. It has gone fairly quickly and I'm happy about that. If the season were to start tomorrow, I probably wouldn't be able to go. But I feel good where I'm at and I'm excited about it."

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