Coyotes Re-Sign Kyle Turris to Two-Year Contract

The Phoenix Coyotes announced on Tuesday that they have re-signed center Kyle Turris to a two-year contract worth $2.8 million. The deal will pay him $1.2 million in the first year and $1.6 million in the second year. Turris, who had been a restricted free agent, and the Coyotes could not come to terms on a new deal this past summer, so the 22-year-old forward held out and refused to play this season. He had until December 1 to sign a new contract in order to be eligible to play in the NHL this season. It is rumored he was holding out for $3-4 million per season, but reportedly wants out of Phoenix. He had asked for a trade in late October, and at the time, Coyotes' GM Don Maloney stated that Turris would not be traded. In 65 games last season with the Coyotes, he had 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points. He also appeared in two games with San Antonio of the AHL, scoring one assist. More than likely, Turris is going to lose a great deal of respect from his teammates by holding out for so long and could end up on the trading block by season's end despite Maloney's desire to keep him. With only 46 points in 131 NHL games, Turris is not worth the $3-4 million he was reportedly asking for and wasted a lot of time and development by holding out for that much money. While he has the potential to become a scoring forward in the NHL, Turris will have to work very hard on the ice throughout this season and the next to show that he will be worth more money in two years.