By Sporting News staff reports

updated 9:33 p.m. ET Oct. 1, 2008

Now that goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin has cleared waivers, the Chicago Blackhawks are weighing options for their next move.

Khabibulin's 24 hours on waivers ended Tuesday, and no team claimed him. His $6.75 million salary for the coming season is the albatross on the Blackhawks' books no team wants to handle.

What's the next move? The Blackhawks hope to find a team desperate for a goalie. They also could move him to their AHL Rockford affiliate to clear room under the salary cap. If he goes to the AHL, the team would have to ask waivers again to restore him to the roster, allowing a team to claim him.

But for now, the Blackhawks are stuck with Khabibulin and his salary.

The team signed free-agent goalie Cristobal Huet in July, hoping to make him their No. 1.
Reports say GM Dale Tallon continues to seek a trade for Khabibulin. When motivated, Khabibulin is an elite goaltender. He displayed that ability in 2004, when he was goalie for the 2004 Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Blackhawks bought Khabibulin when his value was highest. He is in the final season of a four-year deal that now keeps the Blackhawks from making a deal to improve their offense.
One team mentioned as a trade target is the Los Angeles Kings. However, the Kings appear content with other short-term options while they wait from prospect Jonathan Bernier to develop. Bernier, who saw action with the Kings early last season, might need another year before he's ready.

On Tuesday, the Kings assigned Bernier to their AHL Manchester affiliate.

In the meantime, the Kings appear content to keep Jason LaBarbera and Erik Ersberg. LaBarbera is the No. 1 goalie for now. The Kings' question with meeting the salary cap floor might have a hand in the decision.

But don't discount the Blackhawks hanging on to Khabibulin for the time being, rather than dump him for fire-sale value. His value might increase. Still, the team would prefer to move him to find a second-line center.

"I talked to [Khabibulin] and he's fine, very professional," Tallon told the Chicago Sun-Times. "I have no complaints with Nik. His work ethic and everything else about him has been great since training camp opened. He's still a Blackhawk and he's still battling for a goaltending spot."
The question is, for how long?

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