Hawks' moves surprise Khabibulin

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Count Nikolai Khabibulin among those surprised the Blackhawks added another proven starting goaltender during the summer. After playing an average of 53 games over the last three seasons, the 35-year-old finds the crease a bit crowded now with the acquisition of free agent Cristobal Huet. "When things like that happen, it's kind of surprising," Khabibulin said as training camp for the 2008-09 season opened with media day Friday at the United Center. "It's out of my control, so I just go along with it. It's going to be a competition and I'm up for that. Whenever I get a call, I'll just go out and play. That's all I'm worried about." All signs pointed to Khabibulin beginning this season as the Hawks' No. 1 goalie, but when free agency rolled around July 1, general manager Dale Tallon pounced on the top netminder available and signed Huet to a four-year, $22.54 million contract.

Chicago Tribune

Nikolai Khabibulin, Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Nikolai Khabibulin, Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
September 20, 2008  09:49 AM ET

Surprised? Really? Why in God's name would an up and coming young team want a goaltender they could rely on to stay healthy? Younger and at this point, better. Come on Khabi, you're averaging 53 games.

September 20, 2008  11:02 AM ET

And .... why are you surprised, Nick? If you were doing your job and earning your keep, you'd have nothing to worry about. But now, after a couple of sub-par seasons, you have every reason to look over your shoulder. It's called accountability and a reality check! You can start by proving you still belong, otherwise you'll be playing in Russia before long!

September 20, 2008  11:34 AM ET

with corey crawford, cristobal huet, and lets not forget this hidden gem in Anti Niemi, we're stacked with young talent at the golaie position...we basically only picked him up cause he was the key to the tampa bay lightning winning a damn stanley cup...look where he got us??...nowhere yet...and i find him as serious trade bait...

September 20, 2008  11:59 AM ET

...and i find him as serious trade bait...
Meteora16
Villa park , IL

His price tag is way to high! Some team might agree to take on his salary but not if it's going to cost them players and/or draft picks.

September 20, 2008  12:23 PM ET

He could end up in St Louis...but he would not be an upgrade for any team with cap room.

September 20, 2008  02:13 PM ET
QUOTE(#3):

with corey crawford, cristobal huet, and lets not forget this hidden gem in Anti Niemi, we're stacked with young talent at the golaie position...we basically only picked him up cause he was the key to the tampa bay lightning winning a damn stanley cup...look where he got us??...nowhere yet...and i find him as serious trade bait...

What position do you play for the team, Meteora?

Or do you hold a high position in the Blackhawks executive office?

September 20, 2008  02:18 PM ET
QUOTE(#5):

He could end up in St Louis...but he would not be an upgrade for any team with cap room.

Put Ottawa on that list, too.

Martin Gerber could very well be the worst starting goalie in the league.

Actually, take Ottawa off the list. The Bhulin Wall is a huge step up from Gerber - but he's overpriced AND the Sens owenership are cheap-skates.

Disregard this post.

September 20, 2008  02:43 PM ET

Did you guys know that the Sens GM offered up both Emery and Gerber for the Broken Wall and Lalime at the draft? LOL. True story. I thought.....why oh why would the Sens want Lalime back? Hhahhahaa.

The Broken Wall is surprised? These athletes and their massive ego's man......unbelieveable. To me the Broken Wall is untradeable.

September 20, 2008  02:48 PM ET
QUOTE(#4):

...and i find him as serious trade bait... Meteora16Villa park , ILHis price tag is way to high! Some team might agree to take on his salary but not if it's going to cost them players and/or draft picks.

Agreed. Unfortunatley for the Blackhawks, the Pittsburgh Pirates management team is in another sport.

September 20, 2008  02:50 PM ET

"When things like that happen, it's kind of surprising," Khabibulin said.

Yeah, and when the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, it's kind of surprising also. BTW Baun-ded, that a little bit of sarcasm without quotation marks. hee hee

September 20, 2008  02:55 PM ET

Please,Baun-ded wouldnt know sarcasm if it jumped on his face!

September 20, 2008  02:56 PM ET

hhahahahaha.

September 20, 2008  05:27 PM ET

The Broken Wall is surprised? These athletes and their massive ego's man......unbelieveable. To me the Broken Wall is untradeable
BGM

Agreed. Maybe Khababulin should just read T&R and he wouldn't be so surprised!

September 20, 2008  06:49 PM ET

suprised hahahahaha

September 20, 2008  08:38 PM ET
QUOTE(#8):

Did you guys know that the Sens GM offered up both Emery and Gerber for the Broken Wall and Lalime at the draft? LOL. True story. I thought.....why oh why would the Sens want Lalime back? Hhahhahaa. The Broken Wall is surprised? These athletes and their massive ego's man......unbelieveable. To me the Broken Wall is untradeable.

To offer my opinion to your question, Lalime won 16 games for a team whos GAA was in the bottom half of the league last season and his playoff GAA and Saves % is better than anyone else they ever tried to experiment with. You dont understand why they wanted him back?! I don't understand why the got rid of him?!

September 20, 2008  10:25 PM ET

Cause the leafs destroyed him in the play-offs year after year. THATS WHY! He turned into drunk sailor when he played the Leafs in the play-offs.

September 20, 2008  10:44 PM ET
QUOTE(#2):

you'll be playing in Russia before long!

Was thinking the same idea.............

Anyways he will need all the energy he can get this season.

September 20, 2008  11:21 PM ET

Come on, Nik, we're not that gullible!
Like you couldn't see it coming. You might be even more surprised when you end up in LA at the deadline...

September 21, 2008  01:20 AM ET
QUOTE(#18):

Come on, Nik, we're not that gullible!Like you couldn't see it coming. You might be even more surprised when you end up in LA at the deadline...

Or Russia. They like signing washed up ex-russian players over there.

 
September 21, 2008  08:57 AM ET
QUOTE(#19):

Or Russia. They like signing washed up ex-russian players over there.

LA...Russia...which one would be worse right now?

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