Turco To Chicago On A One Year Deal?

 

UPDATE (Aug. 1, 11:58 pm): David Pagnotta is now tweeting that he's been told the WGN report is inaccurate. He did not elaborate in what way - if it's a completely false rumor or if the terms are not correct. Either way, we'll have to way to see how this plays out.

ORIGINAL: The Chicago Blackhawks need to make a decision on whether to accept Antti Niemi’s salary arbitration award of $2.75 million for next season. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the organization may have already made up its mind.

Pagnotta tweeted late Sunday evening that reports out of Chicago are saying the Blackhawks have signed Marty Turco to a one year deal worth $1.75 million. There is no official confirmation of this deal, however WGN has mentioned his signing and that an announcement will be made tomorrow.

If these reports are true, that would seem to indicate the Blackhawks are prepared to walk away from Niemi’s award. The award handed down yesterday afternoon was a fair one, but General Manager Stan Bowman would still have difficulty getting under the salary cap if he accepted. Without Niemi’s contract, Chicago’s payroll stands at more than $400,000 over the $59.4 million maximum allowable payroll in the NHL. Niemi’s deal would bring that up to about $3.15 million over the cap. Turco’s speculated deal leaves it at a still complicated, but somewhat more manageable, $2.15 million over the cap.

Niemi's exit could end up revolving around a sign-and-trade scenario so that the Blackhawks don't lose out completely from his departure. If they choose to just step away, then Niemi will be free to sign with any other team.

When the Dallas Stars decided to head in a more youthful direction, Turco was one of the first long-tenured players from the team to be cast off. But the 34-year old, nine-year veteran has put together an incredible resume in the NHL and still stands as one of the better starting options around the league when he’s on his game. If he truly is replacing Niemi, Turco will be a steady substitute with more proven ability in the No. 1 position and plenty of postseason experience to help Chicago defend the Stanley Cup.

In 53 games last season – his fewest since his sophomore campaign, Turco went 22-20-11 with a .913 save percentage, 2.72 goals against average and four shutouts. The $1.75 million wage represents a sharp $3.65 million decline from the $5.4 million he earned last year.