Ex-Blackhawk Martin dies in accident

The Blackhawks' family suffered another loss Monday when former all-star center Pit Martin was pronounced dead following a snowmobile accident in Quebec.

The 64-year-old Martin was riding on frozen Lake Kanasuta in northwest Quebec on Sunday when a witness said he saw the ex-Hawk plunge through a crack in the ice and into the frozen water.

Quebec provincial police confirmed Martin's death Monday afternoon and were searching for the body.

"This is a very sad day for the Blackhawks family," said Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon. "Pit was a wonderful human being and a mentor to me. Growing up in the same town, I idolized him and then was very lucky to have a chance to play with him in the National Hockey League. He was such a great man that did so much for his family and the community. He is going to be missed by everyone in our organization. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Martin and Tallon were fellow natives of Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, and were Blackhawks teammates from 1973-78.

Martin became a central figure in Hawks history in 1967 when he arrived in one of the most famous - and some say lopsided - trades in NHL history.

The Hawks traded forwards Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge and Fred Stanfield to the Boston Bruins for Martin, defenseman Gilles Marotte and goalie Jack Norris.

While Martin had an excellent Hawks career from 1967-78 with 243 goals and 627 points, which ranks ninth all-time in franchise history, Esposito became an all-time great with the Bruins by scoring more than 700 goals, winning two Stanley Cups and reaching the Hall of Fame.

Martin, who had three 30-goal seasons, centered the successful MPH Line in the early 1970s for Jim Pappin and Dennis Hull.

In 1970, Martin won the Masterton Trophy, which goes annually to the player demonstrating dedication, sportsmanship and perseverance to the game. He also was one of the first NHL players to wear a helmet on a regular basis.

Injury report: Nikolai Khabibulin didn't practice Monday and might not again today because of his lower body injury believed to be in the groin area.

"Habby, I think is going to be close to trying it," coach Joel Quenneville said. "Hopefully, maybe (today), we'll have a better idea how close he is to returning to practice."

Adam Burish, though, is out indefinitely with a right foot injury. It could be weeks before he plays again, though the Hawks haven't said if Burish has a broken bone.

Cristobal Huet is expected to start his third straight game Wednesday against Anaheim after finishing the road trips with losses to the Ducks and the Kings.

"He did fine in those two games," Quenneville said.

Line dancing: Patrick Sharp centered for Patrick Kane and Troy Brouwer at practice Monday, while Jonathan Toews skated between Martin Havlat and Kris Versteeg.

"We've just flipped the wingers on the lines a little bit," Joel Quenneville said. "Basically, everybody's playing with two of the same guys, so it hasn't changed too much."

Quenneville is searching for a spark offensively after watching his team score 4 goals in the last three games on the road trip.

"We still have to find out who can be more effective with one another," he said. "The lines were together for some time, so it's nice to mix them up.

"I think there's enough production in our lineup where I don't think we have to worry as much about scoring as much as preventing goals."