The 2.75 million award Antti Niemi received in arbitration was apparently too much for Stan Bowman and the Chicago Blackhawks to handle. The defending Stanley Cup champs continue to dismantle their winning roster, electing Monday to reject the arbitrator's decision on Niemi and instead sign free agent goaltender Marty Turco.
Blackhawks Pass On Antti Niemi, Sign Marty Turco As Goaltender
The details, courtesy of the Chicago Sun-Times:
Turco has been rumored as a possible signing for the Hawks dependent on the award handed to Niemi by the arbitrator. Apparently, $2.75 million was too high for the Hawks. Turco’s deal is reportedly worth $1.3 million.
The decision ends a long, frustrating offseason for Turco, who it seemed might never find a starting gig this summer. After the Stars passed him up, opting to go with the younger, more affordable Kari Lehtonen instead, he reportedly received an offer from the Philadelphia Flyers worth in the ballpark of $2 million a season for three years.
Turning that down in hopes that the free agent market would be more plentiful was apparently an ill-conceived decision. At least he has a job, though, because the same cannot be said for the goalie who led his team to the Stanley Cup just a few short months ago.
Where does this all leave Niemi? As an unrestricted free agent, for starters. Philadelphia, San Jose, Columbus, or perhaps Russia are all possibilities. It’ll be interesting to see who bites on the young goalie, and it’ll be even more interesting to see how much his contract is worth if and when somebody reels him in.
For more, be sure to visit Second City Hockey, Defending Big D and SB Nation Chicago.
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