"The Chicago Blackhawks will have to take a long, hard look at their goaltending at the end of the season.

By sticking with the overpaid, underachieving Cristobal Huet at the deadline, GM Stan Bowman faces a big problem trying to fit all the pieces of his club under next season's salary cap.

Not only do the Hawks have Huet under contract for two more years at an average of $5.625 million (all terms US), they will try to find a way to sign Antti Niemi, who has taken over as their No. 1 goaltender.

Niemi — making $827,000 this season — can become a restricted free agent July 1 and go to arbitration, where he would likely be awarded $1.75-$2.25 million.

The Hawks are already hard up against the cap next season, with just 14 players under contract for a total hit of $57.5 million. "