(Photo by Jim Prisching/Getty Images)
Lost in the flurry of excitement from the Chicago Blackhawks adding Marian Hossa were two players leaving the team as free agents Wednesday.
According to multiple sources, goalie Nikolai Khabibulin accepted a four-year, $15 million offer from the Edmonton Oilers.
Also leaving Chicago is defender Matt Walker, who was rumored to be a favorite of Chicago coach Joel Quenneville. Walker has reportedly joined the Tampa Bay Lightning, also accepting a four year contract. His is allegedly valued around $6.8 million.
This will force last summer's disappointing free agent addition Cristobal Huet to take the reigns in Chicago's goal full time. It will also place added importance on the Hawks retaining Cam Barker, a restricted free agent.
Khabibulin, in the wake of Huet's contract last summer, was almost sold to a Russian club team during the preseason. When that deal didn't work out, the Blackhawks were forced to retain and play him, and it ended up working out better than anyone could have expected. Khabibulin led the Hawks to the Western Conference Finals in what could be described as at least a resurgent season.
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