The Chicago Blackhawks will have a new starting goalie for the 2010-2011 season as they look to defend their Stanley Cup. Earlier today (Monday, August 2nd) the Blackhawks announced the signing of long time Dallas Stars goaltender Marty Turco. The deal is a one year deal that is reported to be somewhere between $1 and $1.5 Million, which is a nice signing if Turco can play to his ability in the upcoming NHL season.
Antti Niemi, who won the Cup with the Blackhawks less than two months ago, will now be looking for a new team to play for. Niemi had a great season going 26-7-4 with a 2.25 goals against average and a .912 save percentage in his 39 regular season starts. Leading Chicago to their first Stanley Cup in 49 years, Antti Niemi was 16-6 with a 2.63 GAA and .912 save percentage. Chicago and Niemi couldn’t agree on a deal to keep the unrestricted free agent, and after Antti Niemi won his arbitration the Blackhawks decided to walk away from their number one goaltender.
Marty Turco, who spent the last nine NHL season in Dallas, was told that after trading for Kari Lehtonen in February, he would no longer be in the Dallas Stars future plans. This past season Turco was so-so with his 22-20-11 record, 2.73 goals against average and .913 save percentage. It is rumored that Turco had been shutting down contract offers from other teams in hopes of landing a spot with the Blackhawks.
The Chicago Blackhawks next move is to figure out what to do with back up goaltender Cristobal Huet, who has a cap hit of $5.625 million on the Hawks if they can’t get rid of him. The team is looking to make 25 year old Corey Crawford the back up for Turco for the upcoming season, which means Huet will most likely be assigned to the American Hockey League or elsewhere.
The signing of Marty Turco didn’t do anything to the Blackhawks 2010-2011 NHL Stanley Cup Betting Odds at most sportsbooks, as the Blackhawks are still listed at +600 and the favorites for the upcoming NHL season.
A $100 bet on the Blackhawks to win the Stanley Cup this season would payout $600 in profits – you can bet it at Sportsbook.com, which is North America’s most popular sports betting site!