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NHL odds: Blackhawks will use two goalies
By Jordan WaltersWagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
| Sports Betting at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook |
Are you ready for a little hockey news? It seems the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs just ended, but camps will be opening in little more than a month.
So let’s talk pucks!
The Chicago Blackhawks are a dark horse team in the Western Conference this year – odds coming soon to WagerWeb.com – after spending big on defenseman Brian Campbell and goalie Cristobal Huet this offseason. The Huet signing was a bit curious since Chicago has Nikolai Khabibulin for another season in net.
Simple solution: The team will use a two-goalie system, assuming Khabibulin isn’t traded, as has been rumored.
The 32-year-old Huet signed a four-year, $22.45 million deal after appearing in 52 games last season with Montreal and Washington, going 32-14-6 with a 2.32 goals-against average and .920 save percentage.
Khabibulin, 35, is entering the fourth year of a four-year, $27 million free agent deal he signed before the 2005-06 season. But Khabibulin has been inconsistent and injured over the past three seasons. In 2007-08, he appeared in 50 games, posting a 23-20-6 record with a 2.63 goals against average and .909 save percentage.
GM Dale Tallon said his plan is for the two established goalies to elevate each other's performances.
"I look back at the Edmonton Oilers with Andy Moog and Grant Fuhr," Tallon said. "We want to make sure we have the opportunity to ice the best team we can."
Tallon reiterated that he doesn't plan to trade Khabibulin, even though the team must get under the salary cap.
"We're going to do what's best for the Blackhawks," said Tallon. "If it's keeping Khabibulin, we'll do it. Right now we're sitting tight. Winning is the bottom line. And the No. 1 position to win is great goaltending. If you don't have that you're going to struggle. If it doesn't work out with the number of games (each goalie) plays or someone not wanting to be here, then we'll have a look at it."
Huet expects ice time will be determined by performance once training camp starts on Sept. 19.
"You need to have a rhythm, but to play you've got to play well. You've got to deserve your time," he said. "We'll push each other to play. It'll be a good thing for the organization."
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