TSN reporting:

The Chicago Blackhawks have placed goalie Nikolai Khabibulin on waivers as speculation of a trade continues.

Khabibulin was expected to start in Sunday's preseason game against the Dallas Stars but was not on the ice or the bench for the game. Antti Niemi got the start and Corey Crawford served as his back-up.

''He had a great practice [Saturday],'' head coach Denis Savard told the Chicago Sun-Times on Sunday. ''We'll give him a couple more days and see what happens. He's ready to play.''

Doesn't really come as much of a shock to anybody, most likely. The situation from last night's 4-3 win over Dallas did seem a little fishy, as he was suddenly scratched from his start in favor of Niemi, and as the article mentions, wasn't even on the bench. I'd have to think he will be out of a Hawks uniform within the next few days.

Also, the Hawks sent Bryan Bickell, Michael Blunden, Jacob Dowell and Tim Hambly all back to Rockford, and the roster is now at 38 players.