I just looked him up. I was under the impression that he split time with Hutton last year. However, I see that he is inexperienced compared to Raanta.
- faustus1500

Fixed.

Not sure anyone's penciling in Raanta as the starter Darth....just saying he'd be a more palatable choice to back up after what Khabby's shown so far.
- philco28

True Grit is.

It definitely looks like Khabbi is done. Will say this, though. I think he played a Big role in the Hawks winning their 1st Cup in 2010. I don't know if they would have won it if they didn't go on that great run in 2009 and gain a lot of confidence. Khabbi playd some really good games on the way to the conf. Championship.

True Grit is.
- DarthKane

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say DAT AIN'T HAPPENING..."at this juncture."

It definitely looks like Khabbi is done. Will say this, though. I think he played a Big role in the Hawks winning their 1st Cup in 2010. I don't know if they would have won it if they didn't go on that great run in 2009 and gain a lot of confidence. Khabbi playd some really good games on the way to the conf. Championship.
- tomcat24

Well the cap hit for Khabby is going nowhere and Raanta has a pretty big cap hit as well....Numbers don't work now.

It definitely looks like Khabbi is done. Will say this, though. I think he played a Big role in the Hawks winning their 1st Cup in 2010. I don't know if they would have won it if they didn't go on that great run in 2009 and gain a lot of confidence. Khabbi playd some really good games on the way to the conf. Championship.
- tomcat24

Agreed Bro.....Khabby was very good in the spring of '09 and helped the CORE dudes lead us to a couple key series' wins over CGY and VAN. He deserves lots of kudos for that....but as the band Boston sang "Time doesn't wait for me...it keeps on rollllllllllllin'."

What do you realistically expect the plan would be for Raanta? Do you think he would start for Chicago? Not likely. Do you think Raanta would be a backup for the rest of his NHL career? Possible, but if he turns out to be the goalie he was touted to be then it's unlikely. I don't see Raanta being around too long. Maybe a couple years after this season.
- DarthKane

Raanta was pretty much a riskless signing unlike Khabby.

Problem now is their combined cap is too big to swallow.

Agreed Bro.....Khabby was very good in the spring of '09 and helped the CORE dudes lead us to a couple key series' wins over CGY and VAN. He deserves lots of kudos for that....but as the band Boston sang "Time doesn't wait for me...it keeps on rollllllllllllin'."
- philco28

My favorite boston song I really hate radio stations that cut out the beginning: foreplay. and you are right. That was in the past. Time for khabby to fly. Decent REO song

Cuefallator...love it...

If Ranta shows well, habi will get a back up deal with Huets team by christmas too. Might be KHL, but if there is a better option they will find it. There is zero loyalty here. Habby does not even look interested in hockey.
- TrueGrit

The irony in calling me Cuefellator.... yet any hint of criticism directed at Pirri shows us how far and deep your tongue can go..........

Can't happen, because Mr. All-Knowing One Word Posting Q Fellator said "No" at the end of the first.
- Q...argh

No

Well the cap hit for Khabby is going nowhere and Raanta has a pretty big cap hit as well....Numbers don't work now.
- Al

Yeah I don't know what we can do. Emery was terrible in his 1st game but really came on his 2nd and rolled to 17-1. But the team defence in front of him was playing a lot better. Like you have said we have a rough schedule coming up. Just hope the team D improves

My favorite boston song I really hate radio stations that cut out the beginning: foreplay. and you are right. That was in the past. Time for khabby to fly. Decent REO song
- tomcat24

Yeah I don't know what we can do. Emery was terrible in his 1st game but really came on his 2nd and rolled to 17-1. But the team defence in front of him was playing a lot better. Like you have said we have a rough schedule coming up. Just hope the team D improves
- tomcat24

Yep on Emery...

Hawks were getting outplayed but Khabby was bad again.

Time will tell.

Yeah I don't know what we can do. Emery was terrible in his 1st game but really came on his 2nd and rolled to 17-1. But the team defence in front of him was playing a lot better. Like you have said we have a rough schedule coming up. Just hope the team D improves
- tomcat24

Unfortunately the Hawks hands are kinda tied with the back up goalie situation. With the hard cap and the collective bargaining agreement this year it isn't a matter of them just snapping their fingers and moving Bullin. You can't fault the Hawks for not handing the back up job to Raanta after only playing on international ice his whole career. Bullin will be given a chance to snap out of it because he's a veteran......and as I said earlier I don't think any decision will be made until the first of the year.

If they put him on the injured list will his salary still be a cap hit?

Unfortunately the Hawks hands are kinda tied with the back up goalie situation. With the hard cap and the collective bargaining agreement this year it isn't a matter of them just snapping their fingers and moving Bullin. You can't fault the Hawks for not handing the back up job to Raanta after only playing on international ice his whole career. Bullin will be given a chance to snap out of it because he's a veteran......and as I said earlier I don't think any decision will be made until the first of the year.

If they put him on the injured list will his salary still be a cap hit?
- UnnamedSource

Cap wise there is no room until much later.

If Khabby got legitimately hurt he could be replaced but this isn't the NBA and teams really can't exaggerate injuries....At least I don't see it happening.

Cap wise there is no room until much later.

If Khabby got legitimately hurt he could be replaced but this isn't the NBA and teams really can't exaggerate injuries....At least I don't see it happening.
- Al

I fully expect Khabibulin to be "injured" before the new year and Raanta recalled.

Cap wise there is no room until much later.

If Khabby got legitimately hurt he could be replaced but this isn't the NBA and teams really can't exaggerate injuries....At least I don't see it happening.
- Al

The guy has been brutal but in his defence since April 2011 he has played 15 NHL games total (12 last year and 3 so far this year). Maybe there is a chance he can shake off those thick layers of rust - but he could also be completely finished. Goaltender coach has some very busy days ahead.

The guy has been brutal but in his defence since April 2011 he has played 15 NHL games total (12 last year and 3 so far this year). Maybe there is a chance he can shake off those thick layers of rust - but he could also be completely finished. Goaltender coach has some very busy days ahead.
- RickJ

What? You're not happy with 4.74 GAA & .818 SV% ?

What? You're not happy with 4.74 GAA & .818 SV% ?
- Beaver-Warrior

Are the numbers that good? Might as well rest Crow for the next game.

Unfortunately the Hawks hands are kinda tied with the back up goalie situation. With the hard cap and the collective bargaining agreement this year it isn't a matter of them just snapping their fingers and moving Bullin. You can't fault the Hawks for not handing the back up job to Raanta after only playing on international ice his whole career. Bullin will be given a chance to snap out of it because he's a veteran......and as I said earlier I don't think any decision will be made until the first of the year.

If they put him on the injured list will his salary still be a cap hit?
- UnnamedSource

The good news is it looks like the offense is starting to come around because it seems they will have to outscore the other team in games he plays in. I think the team d will start to figure it out also, especially after the big road trip

Are the numbers that good? Might as well rest Crow for the next game.
- RickJ

Ya. Must admit, I was a bit shocked his SV% was north of .800.

I fully expect Khabibulin to be "injured" before the new year and Raanta recalled.
- DarthKane

If you look back Khabibulin is injured just about every year recently and doesn't rush returning....

The guy has been brutal but in his defence since April 2011 he has played 15 NHL games total (12 last year and 3 so far this year). Maybe there is a chance he can shake off those thick layers of rust - but he could also be completely finished. Goaltender coach has some very busy days ahead.
- RickJ

....And at this point I don't know how much Khabby listens to a goalie coach. He could turn it around and if not Bowman is wearing this one.

....And at this point I don't know how much Khabby listens to a goalie coach. He could turn it around and if not Bowman is wearing this one.
- Al

I wasn't a fan of this signing. Didn't even think of him at all. Bowman has had some bad signings. Some good ones, too.

What? You're not happy with 4.74 GAA & .818 SV% ?
- Beaver-Warrior

For everyone that tried to downplay Crawford's success by saying "any goalie would play well behind the Blackhawks defense"...I give you Nikolai Khabibulin.