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Cristobal Huet News & Rumors

Cristobal Huet assigned to Swiss team
September 28
ESPN.com
 
"The Chicago Blackhawks have assigned goaltender Cristobal Huet to HC Fribourg-Gotteron SA of the Swiss National League A. Huet is entering the third year of the $22.5 million, four-year contract he signed in July 2008, and he will make $5.625 million this season. The Hawks, who have had several salary cap casualties since winning the Stanley Cup, still will pay Huet's salary, but it won't count against their cap number."
Huet to Swiss team close, but it's not done yet
September 1
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The deal isn't done, but it's close. Goalie Cristobal Huet soon will be off the Blackhawks' books. On the day the Hawks introduced veteran goalie Marty Turco, general manager Stan Bowman addressed multiple reports regarding the near-deal that will loan Huet to Fribourg-Gotteron of the Swiss League. ''We're still working on that,'' Bowman said Tuesday at the United Center. ''Nothing is finalized yet. I don't have any new news to report. It's looking like that's a possibility. Hopefully it will work out for him and for us, but it's not finalized yet.'' The potential deal would free up more than $5 million in salary-cap space. The Hawks, though, always have been operating as though Huet's cap"
Blackhawks to make Huet's deal disappear
August 24
The Globe and Mail
 
"Currently $4.1-million over the NHL's salary cap, Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman has a plan in place that will see the defending champs sneak under just in time for the start of the 2010-11 season. To get there, the Blackhawks will have stay over the cap for at least another month. Twelve days before the NHL season begins, however, backup netminder Cristobal Huet's $5.625-million (all currency U.S.) contract is eligible to be placed on waivers and "loaned" to another team. On Monday, reports surfaced that Huet has a deal in place to play for Swiss club HC Fribourg-Gotteron, three hours away from his hometown of Grenoble, France. While the arrangement has yet to be"
Huet nears agreement with Swiss League team
August 23
Chicago Tribune
 
"Cristobal Huet's time with the Blackhawks appears to be nearing an end. The veteran goaltender is in discussions with Fribourg-Gotteron of the Swiss League, but "nothing is 100 percent yet," according to Huet's agent Stephen Bartlett. "We've had discussions with (Gotteron), but nothing is finalized and there are a lot of hoops to go through and approvals that have to happen here, so at this point it's preliminary to say anything is done." Huet, who was the Hawks' starting goaltender for part of the 2009-10 season before giving way to Antti Niemi during the run to the Stanley Cup championship, played four seasons in the Swiss League prior to joining the Los Angeles Kings during the 2002-03"
Huet's goal: Just stay ready
April 19
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"It's approaching a month since the last time Blackhawks goalie Cristobal Huet played in a game, and it's unlikely he'll be back in net unless starter Antti Niemi completely falters or gets injured. But Huet is doing his best to stay prepared. Last year, he was called upon in the Western Conference finals against the Detroit Red Wings when starter Nikolai Khabibulin suffered a lower-body injury. ''Just practicing and try to stay sharp mentally and see where it goes,'' Huet said of his thought process. ''That's pretty much all I can do.'' Huet last played March 25 in Columbus against the Blue Jackets, allowing seven goals on 27 shots in an 8-3 loss, arguably the ugliest of the season. Coach"
Huet struggles to remain upbeat
April 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"For the sixth consecutive game, Cristobal Huet dutifully settled into what is becoming his all-too-familiar spot at the end of the Blackhawks' bench. The veteran goaltender was a spectator again Tuesday night as Antti Niemi got the start and the victory when the Hawks thumped the Stars 5-2 at American Airlines Center for their fourth consecutive triumph. The Hawks set a franchise record with their 50th victory of the season, eclipsing the mark set by the 1970-71 and '90-91 squads. They also equaled the mark of the '70-71 and '71-72 teams for most points in a season with 107. With the Hawks setting records and battling the Sharks for the top spot in the Western Conference, this not where"
Huet's shaken confidence a cue for Niemi to take over
March 27
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Give Blackhawks veteran goaltender Cristobal Huet some credit. He didn't have to talk with the waiting media. He could have sidestepped it all and snuck off to the waiting bus bound for the airport. But Huet didn't do that Thursday night in Columbus, Ohio, where he answered every question about his role in the Blue Jackets' 8-3 shellacking of the Hawks and how it affected his confidence and his chances for the No. 1 job in the playoffs. ''After a game like that, [my confidence is] not very high, obviously,'' Huet said. ''Maybe it's time for me to look back at what I've done in my career and focus on that and work harder. ''I'm looking for answers. It was pretty embarrassing the way the"
Blackhawks' Huet back, battered
March 26
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Absolutely nothing went the Blackhawks' way Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Use any cliche you want. The Hawks were simply out of sync and out to lunch as the Blue Jackets hung them out to dry in an ugly 8-3 rout at Nationwide Arena. The Hawks failed to clear the puck from the defensive zone or keep it in the offensive zone. They turned the puck over often, allowed a handful of breakaways, fought to get the power play going and -- perhaps most important as the playoffs approach -- Cristobal Huet struggled in net. Add it all up and you have by far the worst loss of the season for the Hawks. Oddly enough, the Hawks clinched a playoff berth with the Calgary Flames losing 3-2 to"
Huet biding time
March 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"The window of opportunity for Cristobal Huet to seize the Blackhawks' No. 1 goaltending job for the postseason isn't slammed shut. After Antti Niemi played in his third consecutive game Tuesday night when the Hawks took on the Coyotes at the United Center, only 10 games remain in the regular season and the chances to impress are dwindling. But coach Joel Quenneville said the race for the top spot is ongoing. "Huet's going to play," Quenneville said. "We want to get him back in here quickly. There's a good chance he's going to be playing rather soon. Both guys are still going to get a chance here." That's good news for Huet, who hasn't played since a devastating loss March 13 to the Flyers"
Flyers give Hawks, Huet 'nightmares'
March 14
Southtown Star
 
"Goalie Cristobal Huet described the Blackhawks' 3-2 loss Saturday to the Philadelphia Flyers as ''something you have nightmares about.'' It also was ''frustrating'' and something that ''should have never happened.'' Huet allowed the tiebreaking goal to Chris Pronger with 2.1 seconds left in regulation, and the Flyers rallied in the final minutes to defeat the Hawks before a crowd of 19,858 at Wachovia Center. The nightmarish feelings, though, had nothing to do with the fact that Huet is competing with Antti Niemi for the No. 1 goalie job in the postseason. They simply had more to do with the Hawks losing a 2-1 lead with just more than two minutes left. Marian Hossa had given the Hawks"
Hawks paying price for Huet: Will likely buy out or bury big contract
March 14
Toronto Sun
 
"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"
Weekend showdown for Hawks goalies?
March 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"This weekend could go a long way toward settling the Blackhawks' uncertain goaltending situation. Cristobal Huet and Antti Niemi could play and prove themselves capable of capturing the No. 1 job as they continue to audition for coach Joel Quenneville. Huet will start Saturday against the Flyers in Philadelphia and Niemi is likely to get the call Sunday when the Hawks play host to the Capitals. There are 16 regular-season games remaining for one of the goalies to seize control. "They'll both get a chance to play," Quenneville told reporters Friday. "Hopefully they're both playing well and hopefully we have a tough decision to make. We feel that they're both capable of getting the ball and"
Quenneville looking for take-charge goalie
March 10
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Blackhawks' one goal for now is to find one goaltender to carry the bulk of load in the playoffs. But figuring out whom that exactly is hasn't been too easy for coach Joel Quenneville. Antti Niemi will start tonight against the Los Angeles Kings. The rookie got the nod from Quenneville on Tuesday after Cristobal Huet started the last three games and had his chance to ''take control'' of the net. ''[Niemi] started the first game after [the Olympic break],'' Quenneville said after practice. ''He gets the chance to get back into the net, and we'll see how he responds.'' Neither Huet nor Niemi have been impressive lately. Both have been chased since the break -- although defensive lapses"
Blackhawks can't give up on goalie Cristobal Huet
March 8
Chicago Tribune
 columnist David Haugh
"Unlike the four goals he gave up in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Red Wings at the United Center, Blackhawks goalie Cristobal Huet had a good, clear view of one of the worst losses of the season. "Obviously, it's my responsibility and I don't hide from that,'' Huet said softly outside the Hawks' dressing room. "But I felt pretty good. I thought I was ready. I'll be fine. I think everybody let everybody down today.'' No matter how true Huet's words may ring, the boos ringing from the crowd of 22,309 weren't meant for the ears of everybody. They weren't intended for every Blackhawk sloppy on defense or shoddy with the puck. They were directed at Huet, mercifully pulled 10 minutes, 27 seconds into"
Hawks put up solid front on goaltending
March 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"Cristobal Huet has heard the talk. Whether they're discussing it on national TV, blogging from their basements or screaming from the 300 level, the veteran goaltender has heard the popular refrain that the Blackhawks can't win the Stanley Cup with him manning the net. "That's what happens when you have a good team, you don't see any weakness and you try to point some (out)," Huet said. "(With) some you could figure it's because of playoff issues." What kind of playoff issues? "I never won a Cup or something like that," he said. That's true. Huet has never won a Cup. Or a playoff series, for that matter. But no goaltender ever won a Cup until he did it the first time. Like it or not, Huet"
No. 1 assignment: Find who's No. 1
March 4
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville made it clear Wednesday what he plans to do with his goaltending in the postseason. ''We'll definitely be riding one guy in the playoffs,'' Quenneville said. Whether that guy is Cristobal Huet or Antti Niemi remains to be seen. Quenneville supported Huet, who started his first game Wednesday since Feb. 5, when asked to name his No. 1. ''I think Huet is playing, and he's got a great chance to keep playing,'' he said. ''Sometimes you reflect back and a guy gets hot, you might ride him. But certainly we look forward to Huet to take charge here.'' Quenneville also said he expects to play both goalies during the final 19 games. He really doesn't have a choice."
'O' saves day for Huet
March 4
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Love them or hate them, Cristobal Huet and Antti Niemi are the Blackhawks' goaltenders for the rest of the season. General manager Stan Bowman didn't see a move before the trade deadline Wednesday that would improve the team this season and still maintain its course for the future. So Huet and Niemi will be counted on despite their recent struggles and the Hawks' growing goals-against average. Huet got the nod Wednesday night against the Edmonton Oilers in the Hawks' first game at the United Center since the Olympics. He was booed by the 22,204 in attendance after allowing two goals in the second period, but his teammates were able to bail him out for a 5-2 win."
Huet now knows he's in a battle
February 26
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Cristobal Huet knows he has work to do. He basically said as much Thursday after the Blackhawks' first practice since they went their separate ways for the Olympic break. Huet, who started the season as the Hawks' No. 1 goalie, understands he now is in a competition with backup Antti Niemi. And after Niemi started the Hawks' last four games before the break -- all of which were wins -- he might be behind. ''It's never fun sitting on the bench,'' said Huet, a subject of trade rumors as the Wednesday deadline approaches. ''It's not something I want to do. Now, going into the last 21 games or so, I'm really focused and ready to take on the challenge. I am going to work hard to get some"
Huet trying to be upbeat about apparently losing No. 1 spot to Niemi
February 26
Chicago Tribune
 
"Looking refreshed and recharged, Blackhawks goalie Cristobal Huet marveled Thursday at the restorative powers of a few days in Mexico with his family during the Olympic break. "It's always good to get away and regroup,'' Huet said after practice. "My condition mentally and physically is 100 percent.'' He must have repeated it five times if he said it once. Huet realizes why Chicago wonders about his psyche and wants him to discuss his feelings like he's on Oprah's couch instead of in front of a hockey locker. It's because everyone knows Huet's vacation really started much earlier than the schedule dictated as he watched rookie Antti Niemi start and win four straight games. That only"
Huet understands back-to-back starts for Niemi
February 10
Chicago Tribune
 
"For the second time this season, Blackhawks goaltender Cristobal Huet found himself on the bench while Antti Niemi started back-to-back games. Huet was a spectator Tuesday night as Niemi was in net for the Hawks against the Stars. After losing his last three starts, the veteran understood coach Joel Quenneville's decision to give Niemi more ice time. "I didn't get the end results the last games I played," said Huet, who yielded a combined eight goals as the Hawks suffered their longest losing skid of the season. "I can only blame myself for not finding a way to win and get the team rolling a little bit." Niemi was outstanding Saturday night with a 34-save effort in a 2-1 victory over the"
Blackhawks sticking with Huet in goal
February 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"Coach Joel Quenneville is sticking with Cristobal Huet in goal for the Blackhawks. The veteran will make his fourth consecutive start Friday night when the Hawks host the Coyotes at the United Center. Antti Niemi, who had been scheduled to start Wednesday night's game against the Blues but didn't play because of an illness, missed Thursday's practice at the United Center. Quenneville said Niemi "is doing much better. He should be ready to back up (Huet).""
Niemi illness puts Huet back in goal
February 4
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"It was obvious that something was up when the Blackhawks had no goaltender in the net at one end of the ice during Wednesday's morning skate, just a canvas target with a goalie's likeness painted on it. Rookie Antti Niemi, who was to make his first start since getting bombed for three first-period goals in a 5-1 loss at Vancouver on Jan. 23, was not feeling well, coach Joel Quenneville said. That meant Cristobal Huet would start his fourth straight game and Joe Fallon was called up from Rockford to be his backup. It was Fallon's first NHL call-up. Corey Crawford, Rockford's top goalie who lost out to Niemi in a training camp battle for the Hawks' backup job, remained with the minor"
Huet to start in goal for Blackhawks
January 26
Chicago Tribune
 
"When it comes to the Blackhawks' sticky goaltending situation, Cristobal Huet isn't thinking beyond his next start. For the veteran, that will be Tuesday night, when the Hawks take on the Oilers at Rexall Place. After Antti Niemi got the opening nod the previous two games, Huet will return as starter. "I just want to have a good game and we'll see after that," Huet said. "Gain my confidence and the coach's confidence and go from there." Huet yielded nine goals in his previous two starts and then took over for Niemi after one period of Saturday night's 5-1 loss to the Canucks."
Holes in Huet's game mean Niemi encore
January 23
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Coach Joel Quenneville named Antti Niemi the starting goaltender for the Blackhawks' game tonight against the Vancouver Canucks. That's not really a surprise, given how well the rookie from Finland has been playing, but it could eventually trigger a changing of the guard in the Hawks' goaltending situation. Niemi has played second fiddle to Cristobal Huet through the first 51 games of the season. Tonight marks the first time Niemi has started consecutive games. Niemi played in consecutive games once, when he came on in relief Oct. 12 against the Calgary Flames and started the next game against the Edmonton Oilers. Otherwise, he clearly has been Huet's backup despite compiling a 13-3-1"
Goalie rotation shouldn't deter Hawks fans' joyride
January 19
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Blackhawks are playing so well, it's tough to find any weaknesses in this team. But this is Chicago, where fans have learned never to take anything for granted. As dominant as the Hawks have been, we can't help but look ahead with concern. There must be something to worry about, right? The Hawks are leading the league in wins, but the prevailing fear is that they can't win the Stanley Cup with Cristobal Huet in goal. The Antti Niemi movement is gaining strength with each passing game. And I admire the passion behind the sentiment. But it's time for everyone to take a deep breath. There are many games to play before the playoffs begin, and in the meantime, the Hawks are the most"
Huet OK after blowing off steam
January 17
Chicago Tribune
 
"It took Blackhawks goaltender Cristobal Huet a couple of swings to break his stick against the post as he vented his frustration Saturday. Huet was upset after Rick Nash scored to help the Blue Jackets take a second-period lead in a game the Hawks eventually rallied to win 6-5. "It was a weird game," said Huet, who made 21 saves to improve his record to 22-8-3. "It's not fun to be the goalie in those games. You have to battle through and keep staying positive." Huet didn't look positive as he smashed his stick in anger after Nash's second goal of the game gave the Blue Jackets a 4-3 lead after the Hawks had led 3-1. "(I was) mad at myself," Huet said. "I always look at what I could have"
Hossa to return for Blackhawks; Huet to get start
January 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"Marian Hossa practiced with the Blackhawks on Wednesday and is scheduled to play against the Blue Jackets on Thursday night at the United Center. The veteran winger missed Sunday night's 3-1 loss to the Ducks with a lower-body injury, but was back skating on a line with Patrick Sharp and Andrew Ladd during a nearly hour-long practice at the UC. Cristobal Huet will make the start in goal. It will be his first appearance since coughing up a four-goal, third-period lead in the Hawks' 6-5 shootout loss in Minnesota on Saturday night. "I looked at the tape (and) looked at the things I could have done better," Huet said. "Basically know what you did well and what you did wrong and try to"
Antti Niemi winning, and keeping Cristobal Huet sharp
January 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"Beyond the 11 victories in 12 starts, Antti Niemi has made another valuable contribution to the Blackhawks: A fresh Cristobal Huet. Niemi's play has allowed coach Joel Quenneville to keep No. 1 goaltender Huet well rested as the season continues at a breakneck pace with the Olympic break looming in February. "I feel pretty good," Huet said. "Maybe it's because 'Q' has given more ice time to Antti. It's great going into this month and my legs are looking pretty good. "Not everybody can say they have an (11-2) record with a backup. It's a lot of points that he has earned, and the coaches can deal with the rest time." Huet, who got another breather Thursday night with Niemi in goal for the"
Huet pulled in Hawks loss to Dallas
December 30
Chicago Tribune
 
"After throwing pretty much everything they had at the Stars early on Tuesday night, the Blackhawks ran out of steam offensively as their goaltending had a rare stumble. The Hawks hit Dallas with a 21-shot barrage in the first period to grab the lead but mustered only 16 the rest of the way and eventually fell 5-4 in front of a crowd of 18,532 at American Airlines Center. The loss snapped the Hawks' three-game winning streak and prevented them from increasing their league-tying lead of 55 points. A red-hot Patrick Kane had two goals and Troy Brouwer and Colin Fraser also scored, but it wasn't enough as Hawks goaltender Cristobal Huet yielded four goals on 10 shots. He was replaced by Antti"
Huet, Niemi give Hawks winning combo in goal
December 26
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Entering the season, the biggest question facing the Blackhawks was how they would fare in goal without veteran Nikolai Khabibulin, who helped lead the team to the Western Conference finals before departing in free agency. Cristobal Huet and rookie Antti Niemi have provided the answer. The duo has been at or near the top of the NHL statistically while helping the Hawks to a 24-9-3 start. They're tied with the San Jose Sharks for the top spot in the West with 51 points. Niemi's season debut came Oct. 3 in a 4-0 victory over the Florida Panthers in Helsinki, Finland, his native country. It was Niemi's first NHL shutout, and hardly would be his last. Niemi, who went 1-1-1 with the Hawks last"
Chicago Blackhawks' Cristobal Huet turning boos into cheers
December 22
Chicago Tribune
 
"It hasn't been an easy sell convincing fans that Cristobal Huet is the goaltender to lead the Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup championship since 1961. A slow start during which he struggled to a 2-2-1 record brought boos from many of the United Center faithful and much gnashing of teeth at the thought of Nikolai Khabibulin playing in Edmonton instead of Chicago. Times have changed, though, as even the most cynical have bought in and are embracing Huet. The veteran now draws standing ovations as he has developed into one of the NHL's top goalies and helped the Hawks soar to the top of the Western Conference. "It's always nice," Huet said of the crowd support. "I don't want to look"
Red Wings get blanked for 4th time in 15 games
December 21
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Red Wings were left to look ahead to Wednesday's rematch as a chance to catch up to division rival Chicago after falling short Sunday. The Blackhawks dominated offensively and stifled defensively, leaving the Wings to suffer their fourth shutout of the season, 3-0, at United Center. It was Detroit's second loss in as many days, and left them eight points behind Chicago. "I thought we had a few good flurries around their net, but I thought they battled hard and competed hard and did a good job," Wings coach Mike Babcock said. Duncan Keith scored from just inside the blue line in the first period, and Brian Campbell and Dustin Byfuglien followed up with goals in the last four minutes"
Huet on fire as Hawks dominate Red Wings
December 21
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Sure, the Detroit Red Wings were missing a ton of key players. That's part of the reason the Blackhawks had an easy time with their archrivals Sunday at the United Center. Still, the Hawks' 3-0 victory showed something rarely seen in the longest-standing rivalry in the NHL -- dominance. At one stretch in the first period, Hawks goalie Cristobal Huet went 13 minutes without facing a shot. ''That has to be mentally challenging,'' Huet said after notching his third shutout of the season. ''I had to challenge myself to be ready for the next shot, and it took awhile. But that's always a good sign that the team is playing a good puck-possession game and doing a lot of the right things.'' The"
Blackhawks try to balance goalie load
December 19
Chicago Tribune
 
"Despite the Blackhawks' goaltending situation looking eerily reminiscent of last season's rotation, coach Joel Quenneville insists he's not going there. Antti Niemi got his second start in the last four games Friday night as the Hawks took on the Bruins at the United Center. Cristobal Huet was in net Wednesday night and pitched a 3-0 shutout over the Blues. That came on the heels of Niemi's 4-0 shutout of the Lightning on Sunday night, marking the first time the Hawks had consecutive shutouts with different goalies since 1983. "The rotation might be Antti gets a little more ice time along the way, but Huet is going to play probably close to his normal share," Quenneville said. "When we"
Take it to the blank
December 17
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Blackhawks' latest victory was one for the record books. Cristobal Huet was in goal Wednesday for the 3-0 victory over the St. Louis Blues, a Central Division battle played before a season-high 21,137 at the United Center. Coupled with Antti Niemi's 4-0 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, the Hawks have their first back-to-back shutouts since Jocelyn Thibault handcuffed the Detroit Red Wings and Atlanta Thrashers in consecutive games in 2002. The Huet-Niemi accomplishment is even more special than that. The Hawks haven't had back-to-back shutouts by two goaltenders since Tony Esposito and Murray Bannerman provided the saves in 1983. ''The nicest thing is that it was with"
No Khabibulin helps
November 22
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"That first matchup between Nikolai Khabibulin and Cristobal Huet -- the Blackhawks' well-paid goaltending tandem of last season -- still hasn't materialized. Only Huet played Saturday as the Hawks took a 5-2 win over Khabibulin's Edmonton Oilers in the second game of their six-game road trip. The Hawks are 2-0 on their journey, which resumes tonight at Vancouver. ''We've had a good start to our trip,'' coach Joel Quenneville said. ''Huet was rock-solid again, but we got contributions across the board. We did a lot of good things.'' Khabibulin developed a sore back after the Oilers' morning skate and was unable to dress, even as the backup, for the Hawks' first visit of the season to Rexall"
Blackhawks top Oilers 5-2
November 22
Chicago Tribune
 
"In a Blackhawks locker room filled with young, enthusiastic players who aren't afraid to make a little noise, veteran goaltender Cristobal Huet goes about his business quietly. It might have been a bit too quiet at the beginning of the season as Huet struggled out of the gate with a 2-2-1 record and 3.25 goals-against average. It was then that the man from St. Martin D'Heres, France, got a little feisty. "Maybe playing with more grit and more passion is something I needed to do," said Huet, who back-stopped the Hawks to their sixth consecutive victory Saturday night in a 5-2 win over the Oilers at Rexall Place. "Teams are throwing bodies up there and you don't want to back down. You want"
'Take-charge' attitude has served Huet well
November 21
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"A month ago, Cristobal Huet's status as the Blackhawks' top goalie was shaky. A bad start against the Calgary Flames and a bad goal against the Dallas Stars suggested he might not be the man to replace Nikolai Khabibulin. Those fears are gone. Huet has won his last five starts and eight of his last 10, and he figures to face Khabibulin for the first time tonight when the Hawks battle the Edmonton Oilers. Hawks coach Joel Quenneville made no announcement about the starting goalie after practice Friday at Rexall Place, but he has stuck with Huet for the last month whenever there has been at least one day off between games. The Hawks last played Thursday, when they opened their six-game trip"
Huet getting on a roll
October 27
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"It's much too early to tell if the Blackhawks made the right decision last summer in signing Marian Hossa to a long-term contract and allowing Martin Havlat to move on to the Minnesota Wild. The decision didn't look like a bad one Monday night, though, when the Hawks shut down Havlat en route to a 3-1 victory at the United Center. Havlat was a minus-2 and got off only one shot -- that one on his first shift. ''He's a tremendous player, and a big key for them,'' said Hawks center Dave Bolland, who scored the first goal for the Hawks. ''You can't let him wander alone. You've got to finish your checks on him.'' The Hawks did that, but the difference -- for the second straight game -- was"
Chicago Blackhawks blank Nashville Predators 2-0
October 25
Chicago Tribune
 
"Noted team jokester Patrick Sharp feigned ignorance when asked about the absences of Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook from the Blackhawks' lineup Saturday night. "Who're you talking about?" Sharp deadpanned. Gone, but not quite as forgotten as Sharp would have you believe, Toews and Seabrook missed the game with injuries but the Hawks didn't miss an opportunity to pick up two points with a 2-0 win over the Predators before a crowd of 20,272 at the United Center. The victory snapped the Hawks' two-game skid. Goaltender Cristobal Huet, who has struggled and sat out the Hawks' previous game, rebounded in a big way with a strong 27-save effort to earn his first shutout of the season. He got"
Cristobal Huet will have to wait for chance at redemption
October 21
Chicago Tribune
 
"Cristobal Huet is eager for a chance to redeem himself after his poor performance in his last outing that extended a rough start to his season. But the veteran goaltender will have to wait a while as rookie Antti Niemi will be in goal Wednesday night when the Blackhawks face the Canucks at the United Center. "I wish I could go back out there," Huet told the Tribune after Tuesday's practice. "(Niemi has) been playing well for us and he deserves a shot. I see it this way: As soon as I knew I wasn't playing it gave me a few more days to get ready." Huet was shaky Saturday during the Hawks' 4-3 loss to the Stars, allowing an unobstructed shot from outside the right circle past him and later"
Huet: 'I feel like I let the team down'
October 18
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The only one in the Blackhawks locker room who had anything bad to say about goalie Cristobal Huet after the team's first United Center loss was ... Cristobal Huet. ''I can blame only myself,'' Huet said Saturday night following a 4-3 defeat to the Dallas Stars. ''Right now, I feel like I let the team down. I have to see this as just a bump in the road. There were times I really looked bad tonight. I didn't have it.'' But none of the other Hawks had anything negative to say about Huet, who did hear some booing from the fans. ''You have to give credit to Dallas,'' Kris Versteeg said. ''They came in here and played a real good game. That was not how we want to play. We don't want to get"
Heat's still on Huet
October 18
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The United Center boo birds came after Cristobal Huet again Saturday night, and with some reason. The Blackhawks' goaltender let in two bad goals, and they led to a 4-3 loss to the Dallas Stars and the end of the Hawks' four-game winning streak before a sellout crowd of 20,424. This was a game that defied logic, as the Hawks had dominated the Stars last year in winning all four meetings and Dallas arrived in Chicago at 2 a.m. after a deflating 3-0 home loss to Boston. The Stars even went with their backup goaltender, Alex Auld, rather than Marty Turco, a Hawks' nemesis for years. None of that mattered after Huet was victimized by a weird bounce off the board that resulted in the"
Huet solid as Blackhawks top Predators 3-1 for 4th straight
October 16
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"There's no need for any goaltender controversy on these red-hot Blackhawks, not after Cristobal Huet's play in a 3-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Thursday night. It may have lacked the dramatics of the last three games at the United Center, but the Hawks were delighted to go home with their fourth straight win -- which left them at 5-1-1 for their best start since 1971-72, when they opened 7-1. ''There wasn't much to do,'' Huet said. ''The team played very well, a very complete game.'' Huet made a big save in the first minute on Nashville's Jason Arnott, then faced only 12 more shots the rest of the way. The only goal he allowed was a bit of a fluke, the puck going in off the"
Khabibulin, Huet trying to find their grooves
October 14
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Nikolai Khabibulin and Cristobal Huet each played in 41 games for the Blackhawks last season, and neither was happy about it. The Hawks had the NHL's best-paid goaltending tandem, and that led to both goalies being relegated to part-time players. Well, now Khabibulin is with the Edmonton Oilers, who visit the United Center tonight, and Huet has been designated as the Hawks' top goalie. While both are getting their desired ice time, their new situations aren't exactly working out. Both have played in four of their teams' five games and neither has impressive statistics. Neither even has a save percentage above the .900 generally considered acceptable, and neither has a goals-against average"
Former Chicago Blackhawks goalie off to good start
October 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"You have to wonder if the normally stoic Nikolai Khabibulin is allowing himself a slight smirk at the sight of the Blackhawks' current goaltending situation. Heck, maybe the former Hawk and current Edmonton Oiler is guffawing behind his goalie mask as he hits town in the midst of what could be turning into a dilemma between the pipes in his old locale. Khabibulin and his Oilers teammates will take on the Hawks Wednesday at the United Center. What the Oilers missed Monday night as they were handing the Predators a 6-1 loss in Nashville was the Hawks' amazing rally from a 5-0, first-period deficit to stun the Flames 6-5 in overtime. Not quite lost in the euphoria of the comeback was how it"
Hawks haven't settled contest to back up Huet
October 1
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The battle for the Blackhawks' backup goaltender job rages on. The first season-opening roster assembled by new general manager Stan Bowman will feature three goaltenders. Antti Niemi and Corey Crawford will continue to vie for the right to back up Cristobal Huet, at least through this weekend's games at spiffy Hartwall Arena. Although the NHL limits rosters to 23 players when the season starts, the four teams opening in Europe as part of its NHL Premiere event are allowed an extra player. The Hawks, who survived a training camp that started with 59 players, will get their first look at Hartwall today during a morning practice, then participate in a fan rally later in the day. They"