SPORTSNET.CA
Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin has cleared waivers, leaving the high priced goaltender’s immediate future in limbo.
The Blackhawks put Khabibulin on waivers yesterday, a move prompted after the team signed Cristobal Huet to a four-year, $22.5-million deal this past July. Khabibulin, 35, is in the final year of a $27-million, four-year deal he signed with the ‘Hawks in 2005 after winning the Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay in 2004.Khabibulin was 23-20-6 with a 2.63 goals against average in 2007-08.
Chicago GM Dale Tallon told Sportsnet’s Daren Millard that the team is undecided on its next move. The ‘Hawks are interested in trading Khabibulin, but the team will likely have to take some salary back to make a deal happen. Failing that, they could place Khabibulin on recallable waivers, which would mean the ‘Hawks would be on the hook for half his $6.75 million salary this season if he is claimed by another team.
The Los Angeles Kings are one of the teams thought to be interested in Khabibulin and on Monday sent goaltending prospect Jonathan Bernier to Manchester of the American Hockey League.
The Kings have three goaltenders still in camp – Erik Ersberg, Jason LaBarbera and Jonathan Quick – who have a combined 36 career wins in the NHL.
