Dallas-Mavs.com Forums - View Single Post - Stars give deadline to Turco to sign on the dotted line.

MFFL · 09-11-2003, 12:06 AM

Posted on Sun, Sep. 07, 2003
Turco remains unsigned as camp approaches
By Mac Engel
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

FRISCO - The greatest single season by a goalie in the modern era comes with privileges, and now the price.

The Stars and Marty Turco have a difference in opinion in just how much.

Turco, who is coming off the best statistical season by a goalie since World War II, is unsigned with six days remaining until the Stars begin training camp in Vail, Colo.

NHL sources said Turco wants more than $4 million this season. The most the Stars want to offer hovers around $3.5 million. He made $850,000 last season.

"We are going to recognize Marty's achievements last year and give him a handsome raise," Stars general manager Doug Armstrong said. "The contract that we will or have offered Marty will represent someone who had a fantastic season."

Therein lies the hitch: "season," not "seasons."

Although Turco's numbers and impact last season are undeniable, the difference of opinion is headed in the direction of a holdout. And using recent history as an indicator, both teams have evidence to support their positions.

Turco declined arbitration, opting instead to negotiate in good faith. Had he filed for arbitration, an absolute decision would have been made by now. But he might have been forced to accept a salary less than he wanted.

Now, he negotiates for a bigger number.

In his first season as a No. 1 goalie, Turco posted a modern-day record 1.72 goals-against average to go along with his 30 victories, six shutouts and a .931 save percentage. He finished as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top goalie, and was the winning goalie for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. In 18 games he missed late last season with a sprained ankle, the Stars went 7-6-3-2.

But the Stars fear the Jose Theodore syndrome.

After winning the Hart Trophy (MVP) and Vezina Trophy, and pushing the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens into the second round of the playoffs in 2001-02, Theodore signed a three-year, $16.5 million contract.

Theodore posted a mediocre 20-31-6 record with a 2.90 goals-against average last season, and his team failed to make the playoffs.

All the while, the Canadiens are married to the richest contract in franchise history. The Stars do not want to make that type of long-term financial commitment to a player who had one great year.

But they also want to avoid what happened to Evgeni Nabokov and the Sharks last season.

The Sharks' goalie held out all of training camp before signing five games into the season. His team, which the season before advanced to Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals, was desperate, having started 1-4 without him.

Nabokov got what he wanted in a two-year, $7.15 million contract, but, when he returned, he wasn't the same. He finished 19-28-8 with a 2.72 GAA and a .906 save percentage. The Sharks failed to make the playoffs.

"You look at some situations where players have withheld their services through camp, and whether it was the team's fault or the players' fault is irrelevant," Armstrong said. "They haven't had good years."

09-11-2003, 12:06 AM	#5
MFFL Guru Join Date: May 2001 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 13,123	Stars give deadline to Turco to sign on the dotted line. Posted on Sun, Sep. 07, 2003 Turco remains unsigned as camp approaches By Mac Engel Star-Telegram Staff Writer FRISCO - The greatest single season by a goalie in the modern era comes with privileges, and now the price. The Stars and Marty Turco have a difference in opinion in just how much. Turco, who is coming off the best statistical season by a goalie since World War II, is unsigned with six days remaining until the Stars begin training camp in Vail, Colo. NHL sources said Turco wants more than $4 million this season. The most the Stars want to offer hovers around $3.5 million. He made $850,000 last season. "We are going to recognize Marty's achievements last year and give him a handsome raise," Stars general manager Doug Armstrong said. "The contract that we will or have offered Marty will represent someone who had a fantastic season." Therein lies the hitch: "season," not "seasons." Although Turco's numbers and impact last season are undeniable, the difference of opinion is headed in the direction of a holdout. And using recent history as an indicator, both teams have evidence to support their positions. Turco declined arbitration, opting instead to negotiate in good faith. Had he filed for arbitration, an absolute decision would have been made by now. But he might have been forced to accept a salary less than he wanted. Now, he negotiates for a bigger number. In his first season as a No. 1 goalie, Turco posted a modern-day record 1.72 goals-against average to go along with his 30 victories, six shutouts and a .931 save percentage. He finished as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top goalie, and was the winning goalie for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. In 18 games he missed late last season with a sprained ankle, the Stars went 7-6-3-2. But the Stars fear the Jose Theodore syndrome. After winning the Hart Trophy (MVP) and Vezina Trophy, and pushing the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens into the second round of the playoffs in 2001-02, Theodore signed a three-year, $16.5 million contract. Theodore posted a mediocre 20-31-6 record with a 2.90 goals-against average last season, and his team failed to make the playoffs. All the while, the Canadiens are married to the richest contract in franchise history. The Stars do not want to make that type of long-term financial commitment to a player who had one great year. But they also want to avoid what happened to Evgeni Nabokov and the Sharks last season. The Sharks' goalie held out all of training camp before signing five games into the season. His team, which the season before advanced to Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals, was desperate, having started 1-4 without him. Nabokov got what he wanted in a two-year, $7.15 million contract, but, when he returned, he wasn't the same. He finished 19-28-8 with a 2.72 GAA and a .906 save percentage. The Sharks failed to make the playoffs. "You look at some situations where players have withheld their services through camp, and whether it was the team's fault or the players' fault is irrelevant," Armstrong said. "They haven't had good years."