Auld on waivers, Turco expected to stay

The Stars today placed backup goalie Alex Auld on waivers, which means there is little chance the team will trade Marty Turco before the March 3 trade deadline.

GM Joe Nieuwendyk, who is traveling to Cornell to have his number retired this weekend, confirmed that Turco will likely stick with the team.

``I don't want to ever say never, but we would have to be blown away with a great offer to deal him now,'' Nieuwendyk said. ``We feel this is the best move for our team going forward, so that's the plan right now.''

Turco and recently acquired goalie Kari Lehtonen will work together in net and try to get the Stars into the playoffs over the last 21 games. Dallas currently is one point out of eighth place, the final playoff spot in the West.

Lehtonen has not played an NHL game this season after having two separate back surgeries in the off-season. He recently completed a five-game minor league conditioning assignment and started working out in Frisco with goalie coach Mike Valley today. Turco is expected to return with the rest of the players for a 2 p.m. Friday practice that begins a four-day mini-camp. The camp will lead up to the return to play from the Olympics on March 2 against the Kings.

Auld, who makes $1 million this season, will go through waivers. If he is not picked up, he will be sent through recall waivers and teams will get a shot at him for half his remaining salary. If no team picks him up, he will be assigned to the Texas Stars. It is not expected that he will return to practice with the team unless there is an injury.

Comments

[Milbarge]

What's the timeframe on this? We'd love to see Auld in Cedar Park!