Look who's back with Blackhawks

The soap opera that is the Nikolai Khabibulin situation with the Blackhawks took another unexpected turn Tuesday.

When practice began at the Edge in Bensenville, there was Khabibulin minding one of the nets with Cristobal Huet in the other.

Huh?

It seemed like a done deal that Khabibulin wouldn't start the season with the Hawks after the occurrences of last week when he was put on waivers, cleared them, then had his agent call general manager Dale Tallon and ask permission to shop around for a deal elsewhere, including Russia.

While Tallon said he still would entertain offers for Khabibulin even though there is an obvious lack of interest around the NHL, there are no plans to send the veteran goaltender to the minors.

"That was an option, but we decided not to," Tallon said. "Everybody was exploring their options. We were exploring all our options to make the Chicago Blackhawks better, and this is the best option.

"I had a great talk with Nik and he's ready to go. You start with a new sheet of ice every period, and that's what we're doing here."

The Hawks will be about $1.5 million under the NHL's $56.7 million salary cap when they submit their official roster today. That includes Khabibulin's $6.75 million salary.

To get under the cap, the Hawks sent defenseman Cam Barker to Rockford of the American Hockey League. Barker's cap hit would have been $2.8 million had he stayed.

Khabibulin refused to speak with reporters, leaving them waiting at his locker stall long after practice while he slipped out a back door at the Edge even though management has made it clear to players that is not allowed.

Khabibulin's silence left it up to Tallon and coach Denis Savard to try to spin the story that all is well when it comes to the goalie.

"This is not going to distract us," Tallon said. "Huet and Khabibulin are the goalies. They're ready to compete for the job, stop pucks and help us win. We want the two best goalies we can possibly have to win every night, and that's it."

Savard claimed there was even a chance Khabibulin would start Friday's season opener at Madison Square Garden against the Rangers.

"I'm not going to tell you guys that until game time," Savard said.

So let's get this straight: The guy the Hawks wanted to get rid of last week might start the opener over the goalie the team went out and signed for $22 million as a free agent?

"It's possible," Savard said. "He's got lot of practices coming up this week. Habby's been around the horn a few times (and) he knows what it takes to be a great goalie, so I'm not too concerned about it.

"Nik's going to be with us and, again, it's day by day for the goaltenders. I'm not sure who's playing Friday yet."

The last thing Savard and the Hawks need is a disruption as they try to get off to a good start, which is critical to them making the playoffs.

Savard doesn't see Khabibulin as being a disruption.

"It's over and done with," Savard said. "He's here with us. This is a professional league. There's no animosity; this is business. I'm happy to have him."

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=241187">Tallon says Barker's demotion a 'hockey decision' <span class="date">[10/7/08]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>