Khabibulin Waived?

It looks like the Blackhawks are having trouble moving the big contract of Nikolai Khabibulin. Things are coming to a boiling point in Chicago, as they have reportedly put the 35-year old keeper on waivers, in order to off-load his $6.75 million cap hit for nothing. This shouldn't come as a big shock to anyone, as it is an expensive contract to pick up for a goaltender that hasn't put up great numbers since his Stanley Cup win in Tampa Bay.

The Hawks need desperately to clean off this cap burden or else they won't be able to stay below the cap ceiling come the beginning of the season. The Blackhawks may have to settle with putting Khabibulin through re-entry waivers, taking on half of his salary cap hit. That could be enough to keep themselves afloat. Teams won't be looking to shell out the full hit on Khabibulin, it wouldn't be surprising if no teams would take on half, so the Hawks may have to buy him out, which will also be a tough pill to swallow.