The Chicago Blackhawks placed goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin on waivers today.

Khabibulin appeared to be the goalie on the way out after the Blackhawks made a surprising dip into the free agent pool and signed UFA keeper Cristobal Huet to a 4 year deal worth $22.5 million. Khabibulin was on the final year of a 4 year deal worth $27 million.

The Blackhawks are believed to working on a trade for the Khabibulin but his high salary makes moving him difficult, if not impossible.

The Pittsburgh Penguins got some rough news today (as did NHL Fantasy Managers) when they announced that the club would be without star defenceman Sergei Gonchar for 4-6 months. Gonchar will undergo surgery to repair his left shoulder. Gonchar was injured during the a pre-season game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Penguins also lost defenceman Ryan Whitney till December with a foot injury.

The Anaheim Ducks re-signed forward Teemu Selanne to a two year deal worth $5.25 million this week, just days after clearing cap space by trading defenceman Matthieu Schneider to the Atlanta Thrashers.

Selanne sat out more than half the season last year as he contemplated retirement, but with 26 games remaining chose to return to action.

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh