The Chicago Blackhawks made a major splash in the 2005 free
agent market by signing the best available free agent goaltender.
Three years later, they’ve done it again, signing Cristobal
Huet to a reported four year deal worth $5.6 million per season.
Huet will split the goaltending duties with Nikolai
Khabibulin, who was signed with much fanfare three years ago to be the
Blackhawks starting goaltender, but injuries have adversely affected the
performance of the crumbling ‘Bulin Wall.
The ‘Hawks aren’t expected to re-sign Khabibulin when his
current contract expires after next season and he’ll likely be relegated to
backup duty behind Huet this coming season, which at $6.75 million will make
him the most expensive backup goalie in the league this season.
For the Blackhawks, it’s worthwhile, as the team made
significant improvement last season and might’ve made the playoffs if they
could’ve had better goaltending.
They’ll get that in Huet, who’s a proven regular season
netminder although in his limited playoff experience he’s yet to win a series,
but for a Chicago team hungry to get into the playoffs for the first time since
2002, they’ll be happy if he can backstop them to the postseason first and then
they’ll worry about his playoff record.
After blowing off the Caps I wish Huet the same fate as Khabibulin!!! Huet had it all in Washington and he stiffed them for more money. He can basically go and F$#^ himself. HUUET will soon realize that he does not have Ovechkin, Backstrom, Semin and Green in front of him. I HOPE YOU ROT YOU MONEY SEEKING JACKA#$!!!
Agree 100% with McGuinness. No chance that Tallon ties up $12 million on his two goalies. Maybe this means that Bulin is headed to Ottawa...maybe for Meszaros?
If the 'Hawks actually plan on retaining Khabibulin, that means they'll have 12.35 million tied up in net. That has to be an NHL record - one that will likely not be broken for years to come. It will be inflation, not two contracts that break that record... Simply AMAZING.
Still think it would have been smarter for them to sign Campbell and wait until next year to get that fancy goalie - or trade for one...
I'm guessing that the Hawks miss out on Campbell and Hossa. My bet would be that we end up with Ron Hainsey and maybe Brian Rolston at best. Campbell will cost way too much as will Hossa.
Hawks won't get Campbell or Hossa, maybe Rolston and Redden or Streit....and will probably be stuck with over $12M in the nets unless Tallon can find a taker on a salary for salary type deal for an overpriced forward...
Any chance the 'Hawks have plans to buy out the remainder of Khabibulin's contract? At this point...they might as well. While they are filing the paperwork, throw Havlat and Lang in there, too.
"Yeah McGuiness, lots of teams are looking for a 6.5 million dollar backup. Would be quite a trade that Dale is working on!!!"
Last year of his contract, strong year last year(and now is his contract year), has a cup ring with a strong offensive team...I would say he could be traded as a starter to a desperate team...
Don't they have about $9M to play with still? That should be enough to land a Rolston and maybe a mid-level d-man (streit, hainsey). Maybe they could go bigger if they are able to offload Hawkibulin....
McGuiness, a shakey 6.5 million goalie with little confidence. No team will want to take on that sort of contract for a goalie granted with a ring. He has not been the same since Tampa Bay and that was a career year he had. Can you honestly say that Khabibulin will get traded anywhere? He is a potential buyout candidate if his buyout werent so high.
We will see, and stop trying to take shots at everybody...it is pretty childish. Watch for a trade with LA, most likely was already finished...for maybe a draft pick.
McGuiness if your going to blog dont take it personal. Opinions will be shared and evaluated!! I did not agree with yours that is all. Still disagree with him going to LA!!!
I'm sure there's not a huge market for him right now, but LA would be the logical destination. But you never know, a lot of goalies got locked down today and LA didn't get one. Even if they can't move him, his contract is up this year. So carrying $12 million in goal won't happen for long. Lets just hope this doesn't preclude us from getting a big name or two.
Kings do seem like a logical trade partner....Labarbera can't be who they are pinning their hopes on and thay have tons of cap room....just please don't make the Hawks take Handzus back....
My 2 cents worth: This is interesting convesation, but if Talon made this deal without having the last piece of the puzzle in place. he is in big trouble.
The Hawks had a chance to get a couple of quality F/A's this year. Two goalies for 12 million on the same team, NOT GOOD!
Time will tell, but I do not think Talon would make a mistake of that magnitude.
Go Hawks!
Hawks may very well trade with the Kings, but don't discount the Oilers... Khabibulin and a pick for Roloson and Staios or something like that... Besides, what about the minors?
We can give Chicago back Handzus and Calder :) - that's funny. Seriously, LA is probably on the radar, just hope DL gets a good pick. Hurry Chicago and give us you're #1 before Campbell signs elsewhere!!
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
