Report: Stars cut Turgeon loose

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Report: Stars cut Turgeon loose
TSN.ca Staff
5/15/2003

It appears forward Pierre Turgeon will not be back with the Dallas Stars next season.

According to Montreal radio station CKAC, the Stars have bought out the remainder of Turgeon's contract, making him a free agent this summer.

It's believed the move will save the Stars $6-million in salary next season. Team owner Tom Hicks has already indicated that the payroll will not increase beyond its current level and with defenceman Derian Hatcher and goaltender Marty Turco seeking new deals, some members of the current roster weren't expected to return.

Turgeon joined the Stars two years ago as a free agent from the St. Louis Blues. It was hoped that he could settle into the role of second line centre and take some of the pressure off Mike Modano.

The 33 year old scored just 12 goals and 42 points in 65 games this season - his lowest point total since he broke into the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres in 1987-88. He was hampered by ankle injuries the past two seasons which forced him to miss the final 14 games of this year and all but five games of the playoffs.

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Turgeon put on waivers by Stars
TSN.ca Staff
5/16/2003

The Dallas Stars have put forward Pierre Turgeon on waivers, saying they don't see him fitting into the team's plans next season.

"We'd like to try to give him a chance to see if he can catch on with another team," general manager Doug Armstrong tells the Dallas Morning News. "We don't see a future with our team."

However, the Stars may not have an easy time ridding themselves of Turgeon, who signed a five year deal as a free agent in 2001. He still has three years remaining on the contract worth $20.5-million US.

Armstong says a buyout, which would cost the Stars over $13-million, is an expensive option at this point.

"With the uncertainty of the labor agreement going forward, that just doesn't make sense," Armstrong said.

Turgeon is expected to clear waivers next Wednesday, and if he's not claimed by another team, the Stars could send him down to the minors or attempt to work out a buyout agreement at a reduced price.

In 65 games this season, mostly as a second-line winger, Turgeon scored a career-worst 12 goals and 42 points. He missed the final month of the season and the entire first round of the playoffs with a broken bone in his ankle. When he did return for the second round series against Anaheim, Turgeon was a healthy scratch for Game 4.

A separate report out of Dallas says the Stars are also considering waiving veteran forward Claude Lemieux, who is scheduled to make $4-million next season.