Khabibulin clears waivers as trade rumors continue

Blackhawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin cleared waivers on Tuesday and now the next move is up to the club.

The Hawks put Khabibulin on waivers Sunday and not Monday, which is why the 48-hour waiver period expired on Tuesday.

The Hawks now can assign Khabibulin to the minors and while they still must pay him his $6.75 million salary, it would not count against the salary cap.

Should the Hawks send Khabibulin to Rockford, he could be recalled for half his salary as a cap hit.

There are still rumors of a trade in the works, possibly with the Ottawa Senators. An Internet report also linked the New York Rangers with Khabibulin, claiming the Rangers are concerned about No. 1 goalie Henrik's Lundqvist's injury issues.

The Hawks are about $1.5 million under the NHL's salary cap counting Khabibulin's contract.