The Los Angeles Kings tonight dealt goaltender Jason LaBarbera to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a seventh round pick.

LaBarbera had begun this season as the Kings starting goaltender but was out-played first by Erik Ersberg and then call-up Jonathan Quick when Ersberg was recently sidelined by injury.

As noted by Rich Hammond of the Los Angeles Daily News, Kings management felt that Ersberg and Quick were better long-term options for the club. With center Brian Boyle expected to be called up by week's end, the requirement was needed to free up a roster spot.

That explains why the Kings got so little in return for LaBarbera. What's more interesting is that it was the Canucks that became his destination.

The Canucks have been using Curtis Sanford and Cory Schneider as their tandem since all-star Roberto Luongo was sidelined over a month ago with a groin injury.  They've been okay but it appears management would prefer a more experienced netminder between the pipes until Luongo returns.

It could also suggest that Luongo's injury might be more serious than originally feared. While he skated on Tuesday with the team for the first time since the injury there's been not set time for his return.

Once Luongo does eventually return, it'll create a long-jam in goal with LaBarbera and Sanford, as Schneider will obviously be on his way back to the Canucks farm team for more seasoning.

That could mean another potential trade involving a Canucks goalie not name Luongo or Schneider by the trade deadline.

**UPDATE** As noted in the comments below, Sanford suffered a groin injury on Tuesday which explains the Canucks need to bolster their goaltending depth.  Once he and/or Luongo returns it could mean Schneider gets sent down. Once Luongo and Sanford are both healthy Canucks GM Mike Gillis will have to decide between Sanford and LaBarbera as to who becomes trade or waiver bait.