Sounding The Horn: What Campbell and Huet Mean for the Chicago Blackhawks

But although Campbell was foreseeable, the Cristobal Huet signing was truly the biggest surprise of the day. When I heard through the wire that the Blackhawks had made a splash on the free-agent market, I thought that just Campbell was coming.

I never even heard rumors regarding Huet and Chicago. So to hear that he had signed with the 'Hawks so early was surprising indeed. And to have Campbell sign later in the day was the icing on the cake—no pun intended.

Huet doesn't bring anything new to this team other than piece of mind. Over the course of Khabibulin's reign in Chicago, Nikolai has been peppered with injuries and inconsistent play. When he is on his game, he truly is one of the best goaltenders in the world.

The problem is, those times are few and far between.  

His huge contract is up at the end of the year—and before yesterday, it was assumed that Corey Crawford would be handed the keys to the crease in 2009.

This was viewed with skepticism from fans. In my honest opinion, I don't believe that Crawford is a starting NHL goaltender. So to sign Huet to push Khabibulin this year, and Crawford for three years after that, is a great move by Dale Tallon.

Many are skeptical of wrapping up 12 million dollars in goaltending alone this year. And to that, I say—if you are going to wrap up six million dollars in Marty Havlat, I believe that having two playoff-ready goaltenders in certainly worth it.

Because three things win in the playoffs—a potent power play, a physical brand of hockey, and impeccable goaltending. On June 30, the Blackhawks had the physical brand of hockey locked up, and were less than questionable in the other two categories. A day later, the Blackhawks look like Stanley Cup contenders.

Indeed, what a difference a year makes.

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