The Blackhawks could see a familiar face between the pipes next season, as impending unrestricted free agent Nikolai Khabibulin might be set on returning to Chicago.
Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon has been speaking with Khabibulin's agent, Jay Grossman, about getting a new contract ironed out.
Grossman wouldn't get into specifics, but he did confirm that he's been talking to the Hawks about an extension.
"We've had some good meetings with the Hawks and a pretty open line of communication," Grossman told TFP late Monday night. "Obviously, time is marching on towards free agency; a couple of days from now. We'll see what happens from now and then."
Last season, Khabibulin shared the goaltending duties with Cristobal Huet, playing in 42 games and posting a 25-8-7 record.
"He had a real good run for them; he had a real good season," Grossman said. "There's no question they would like to have him back."
If the Hawks decide to get Khabibulin locked up to a new contract, it's uncertain if they will keep Huet and have the two split time in goal again.
"He's been a No.1 goalie his whole career, I don't see that that's changed in any way," Grossman said. "There's no question he's a guy that pride's himself on his conditioning and works hard. . . . From that standpoint, the opportunity to play more games would be great.
"Having said that, if he was part of a similar situation next year, that the club was able to take things one step further into the Finals, he wants to finish the job there. However that gets done, he's good with that."
According to one source, the Hawks plan on keeping Khabibulin and signing him to a new deal, believed to be a two-year agreement.
Khabibulin, 36, made $6.75 million this past season. He'll have to take a pay cut in order to stay in Chicago and it's believed he's more than willing to do that.
"We'll make every effort to get something done," Grossman said. "If the page on the calendar turns [to July 1], we'll have to address things differently. He had a great year there, and hopefully that opportunity to finish the job will be there."
Meanwhile, the Hawks are also set on re-signing right wing Martin Havlat, who can become a UFA on Wednesday.
Havlat, currently in Los Angeles with his agent Allan Walsh, wants to play for the Blackhawks next season and the team plans on getting him locked up to a new long-term deal.
