Could the Devils Use Nikolai Khabibulin? Dale Tallon Thinks So

While the news of Martin Brodeur's elbow injury is still resonating from Newark to East Rutherford and back, Blackhawks General Manager ~~Dave~~ Dale Tallon was quick to get on the horn and offer a helping hand. Actually, he was probably trying to offer himself a helping hand, but that's okay, too.

According to Tim Sassone of the Daily Herald, Tallon was making plans to call Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello to gauge his interest in Nikolai Khabibulin, now that Brodeur is expected to miss three-to-four months recovering from a torn distal biceps tendon.

A Devils source said interest in Khabibulin was a "definite possibility," but another source indicated Lamoriello might prefer to wait several weeks to pursue another goalie until he sees how Weekes performs.

Khabibulin is off to a strong start for the Blackhawks, but they've been trying to get rid of him since, what seems like, the day they signed him. He's already passed through waivers once this year, and they've never been able to find a team willing to take his contract in a trade.

According to the good folks at nhlnumbers, Khabibulin carries a $6.75 million cap hit this year. If we're to believe that same source, the Devils don't have that much wiggle room under the cap. Though, it's difficult to know for sure without the true numbers, which are apparently kept under lock-and-key in a vault in Toronto.

Assuming Tallon is successful in his efforts to rid himself of Khabibulin's contract, Sassone reports that the Blackhawks would use their newfound cap space to pursue a top-six forward, such as Mats Sundin, whom they were rumored to be interested in about a week ago.