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Wed Nov 19, 2008 3:38 pm EST

Goalie controversy in Chicago stopping trade for Nylander

By Joe Zedalis

Nikolai Khabibulin

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The Chicago Blackhawks, according to multiple NHL sources, have a standing deal ready to go at a moment's notice to acquire veteran center Michael Nylander from the Washington Capitals according to TSN.ca.

However,  in order to make the transaction, the Blackhawks need to free up considerable cap space and conventional wisdom is the only way they can do that is trade netminder Nikolai Khabibulin. Just one problem, though. Khabibulin is playing much better than Cristobal Huet, the free agent acquisition who was supposed to be the Hawks' No. 1 goaltender this season. On the surface, it doesn't seem possible that the Hawks could trade Khabibulin right now, but the sense that is precisely what will happen because the Blackhawks feel the strong need to bolster the centre position.

The irony, of course, is that Huet was the Capitals' goaltender and when Washington refused to pay him what he wanted in free agency, the Hawks swooped in and gave Huet a four-year, $22.5-million deal that doesn't look as good now as it did in the summer, when the Hawks were coming off a season where Khabibulin was a gross underachiever. Washington then had to go out and make a deal with Jose Theodore, who at times this season has been outplayed by backup Brent Johnson. Now, the Blackhawks having that glut of goalie salaries is apparently what is preventing them from getting Nylander from the Capitals.

Source: TSN.caNew Window

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49 Comments

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  1. Brett P
    1. Posted by Brett P Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    Caps nee the Bulin wall.
  2. whitepeople.tv
    2. Posted by whitepeople.tv Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:46 pm EDT

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    Wrong. The Huet signing never looked good. Sure, Khabby had a bad year, but it was waaaaay more likely he'd bounce back than Huet repeating his great performance down the stretch last year.
  3. Lenny
    3. Posted by Lenny Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:49 pm EDT

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    Trade huet....he sucks a$$
  4. Lenny
    4. Posted by Lenny Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:49 pm EDT

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    Anti niemmi is rotting away in the minors!!!!
  5. SXR70001
    5. Posted by SXR70001 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:52 pm EDT

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    And nylander sux's
    get j,stall
  6. Chitown
    6. Posted by Chitown Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:23 pm EDT

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    Crawford And Niemmi are stuck in the minors
  7. super b
    7. Posted by super b Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:06 pm EDT

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    washington wants to make room for sundin
  8. BobboH h
    8. Posted by BobboH h Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

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    keep huet
  9. E
    9. Posted by E Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:55 pm EDT

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    what would the caps get back for Nylander? Theodore blows, if i were then i would trade for khabibulin
  10. Trevor K
    10. Posted by Trevor K Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    get rid of Huet and make room for Sundin
  11. Johnathan B
    11. Posted by Johnathan B Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:38 pm EDT

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    Trade Khabby, bring up Niemi and sign Shanny
  12. Fred P
    12. Posted by Fred P Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:03 pm EDT

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    Never understood the signing of Huet this summer. Khabby does have a ring and, coming off last season, was sure to have a better year this year. I've never been a huge Nylander fan, even when he played here in the past. The Hawks need a seasoned forward and some experience in the locker room. I love Toews and he'll continue to be a better and better leader as he grows, but I liked having a guy like Marty LaPointe around to add some valuable veteran perspective, and another guy in the room with a ring or two. Deal Huet for a centerman,...one who wins the majority of his face-offs and adds some veteran leadership.
  13. Blackhawks Are Back
    13. Posted by Blackhawks Are Back Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:36 pm EDT

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    If Tallon trades for Nylander, he would be counting his days in Chicago. He had plenty of bad moves in his GM career, but this would be one of the worst. Why would he get a $5.5M washed up player (not sure if his contract goes past this season), who has 9 points in 16 games, and lose Barker in the process (Barker is rumored to be going to Caps in this deal). STAY AWAY!
  14. St. Copius de Bronze Trophies...
    14. Posted by St. Copius de Bronze Trophies... Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    Aren't there four or five teams paying multiple goalies way to much money? Granted, hockey players are paid way too little in comparison to other sports - but goalies are way too unpredictable to give much more than minimum wage to...
    I'm happy with Khabibubbly on my fantasy team...he makes for a great third goalie...
  15. G-Unit
    15. Posted by G-Unit Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:20 pm EDT

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    caps do not need Nikolai Khabibulin or Cristobal Huet they need a decent defensemen one that blocks shots and plays hard. If they do get Khabibulin they should try a three way treade and get a good D or RW. Also, Theodore is not doing bad he was making some amazing saves. He got off to a rocky start but he is good. And Brent Johnson was having an amazing season so far. He was on a 5 game winning streak before he got injured. Also, there goalies in Hershey (Machesney and Varlamov) could be future goaltenders. And DONALD BRASHEAR is a MONSTER. Go Caps!
  16. brent
    16. Posted by brent Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:20 pm EDT

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    The only thing that made me think Bulin might have a good year in 08-09 was that it is a contract year. He's been bad EVERY year he's been in Chicago, not just last year. The Huet deal wasn't a bad signing as long as they were able to move the albatross that is Bulin's contract. He's making 1.5MM less per year than Bulin.
    However, Nylander is certainly not the answer for Chicago. He's owed 5.5MM this year, 5.5MM next year, and 3MM in 10-11. You're giving up one albatross for a slightly smaller one over the next 3 years on a 36 year old player on the decline. Bad deal.
  17. brent
    17. Posted by brent Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:20 pm EDT

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    ...and you're probably going to have to get rid of Dustin Byfuglien or Cam Berker to get Nylander! (forgot to mention that as a negative too!)
  18. Todd
    18. Posted by Todd Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:55 pm EDT

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    You know what. Khabibulin was playing on a young Blackhawks team with lots of potential.
    problem is with young teams, the defensive responsibilities arent learned as quick for some. If you give up premium scoring opportunities or allow rebounds to turn into second and third scoring opportunities, your goalie's save % is not going to look as good.
    I will agree that Khabibulin wasnt as good as he usually is, but I felt he had at least another good season (or two) left. The key question is do you give him up or keep the netminder of the future?
    I'd be inclined to keep the Bulin wall & Trade Huet. only problem with this, is that The Hawks will need a goalie to take over the starting role in a year or two as Khabibulin is getting up there in age and he cant play forever.
    This will be interesting indeed.....
  19. Mav
    19. Posted by Mav Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    No way on Nylander . He was a band-aid the last time around.
  20. Nick P
    20. Posted by Nick P Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:28 pm EDT

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    Where has bulin been all these years? Trade him, keep Huet. Amazing how we make snap judgements on 10 games, how sad. Nylander is an old man. If you trade either of these guys, you get a younger faster center, not an old man who is 'pretty good' but won't get any better.
    How hard is this?
  21. Buckwheat
    21. Posted by Buckwheat Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:22 pm EDT

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    Nylander and Jurcina for Barker or Byfuglien, plus Jack Skille. A win-win trade for both teams and would thicken the plot in next spring's Capitals-Blackhawks Stanley Cup Final.
  22. mr bbb
    22. Posted by mr bbb Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:06 pm EDT

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    Nylander is owed 4,875,000 for the next three years. No way any team would want him. he just got benched by the caps. Unless the caps throw in a good young player or a #1 pick, not worth the cap hit.
  23. Robert S
    23. Posted by Robert S Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:08 pm EDT

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    Note to Dale Tallon: You are nuts if you give up anything more than a bag of pucks to get Nylander. The upside of Dustin Bfyuglien and Cam Barker is way more valuable than what Nylander can give you. Don't trade away the future. The Hawks are a good team now, but not a Stanley Cup contender, and they most certaily will not be with Nylander on the team, way too old way too past his prime!!! Stay Away!!!
  24. redhawk29
    24. Posted by redhawk29 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:34 pm EDT

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    All I read into this is nothing more than to add a 'SHOCK FACTOR' to a team that in recent years seen their playoffs hopes DIE in the annual November Circus Road-Trip. It's just management trying to get through to the players the urgency to continue to play well on the road and get better as a team. In NO WAY do I see Nylander going to Chicago, if anywhere to Montreal whose struggling and would like to get rid of Lang and have a guy play the point with Markov on the PP!
  25. RAVENS www.gearupforsports.com
    25. Posted by RAVENS www.gearupforsports.com Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:57 pm EDT

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    i like the three way trade idea. work Dallas into the deal and try to get your hands on some of their young defensive talent.

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