Khabibulin toes the line
Nikolai Khabibulin broke his silence Wednesday, saying all the politically correct things in his first chat with reporters since the Blackhawks placed him on waivers last week.
There were certain things Khabibulin refused to address, such as the negotiations between his agent and at least one club in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League for his services that apparently broke down over the weekend.
Khabibulin and his agent, Jay Grossman, asked Hawks general manager Dale Tallon for permission to speak with other clubs, including at least one in Russia, after he cleared NHL waivers.
"We were looking at some options, but now it's in the past," Khabibulin said. "We had great communication with Dale, as was the case the previous three years and this off-season. That was then and now it's time to concentrate on the season and that's what I'm going to do.
"Until something happens, or if anything happens, I'm going to be part of the team and I'm going to work my butt off to help the team win."
Hawks coach Denis Savard repeated he hasn't yet decided to start Khabibulin or Cristobal Huet in Friday's season opener in New York against the Rangers.
Khabibulin showed a defiant confidence when asked if it would be a problem starting a game on Friday when he didn't play one minute in the preseason.
"I really feel confident with my ability," Khabibulin said, "and anytime I get the chance to play, I think I'm going to be fine."
Khabibulin claimed he hasn't felt unwanted by the Hawks, who were looking to get Khabibulin's $6.75 million contract off the books for salary cap relief by placing him on waivers. "No, I never felt that," he said. "Dale never expressed that. We've always had a good relationship.
"They felt that they had to do that, and I'm still here. Now that the season is starting I'm ready to play and I'm going to do the best I can."
Huet said he is fine with competing for starts with Khabibulin.
"I knew coming here it would be like this," Huet said. "I respect Nik a lot and I'm just going to go one day at a time and get ready for the season.
"It's not a big problem. We've just got to do what's best for the team. That's all we can control."
Huet would love to start Saturday's game in Washington against his former teammates. Savard said whoever plays Friday in New York might come back the next night as well if the performance merits it.
"They're both No. 1 goalies and the goalie I have in my gut the first night will go," Savard said. "I don't see any problem with this at all. They're going to challenge each other and make our team better. We've got one more practice (today), and I'll take it from there."
Khabibulin was asked several times if he was frustrated with everything that has happened in the last week and with sharing duties with Huet, or possibly even backing him up.
"I'm having fun, why not?" Khabibulin said. "Why would I be frustrated? I'll play when I get the chance to play. I'm still part of the team. I'm still happy to be here."
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