Cristobal Huet will not be returning to the NHL this season. Amid speculation that the veteran netminder might catch on with an NHL club he decided to sign a four-year contract with Lausanne HC, thereby ending that possibility. He likely wouldn't have risen above backup with many NHL clubs regardless, but drafters can now safety drop him from their cheat sheets.

The Vancouver Canucks may be an option for Cristobal Huet, depending on how the Roberto Luongo situation pans out, but for now there hasn't been "substantive discussions" between the two sides according to Huet's agent, Stephen Bartlett. "We've been trying to talk to every team," said Bartlett. "I haven't had any specific discussions with Vancouver about him, just in general identifying teams that may or may not be in a position to look for goaltending, Vancouver being one of them. It's depending on what happens with (Roberto) Luongo." If an NHL team doesn't show interest then Huet will probably sign with a club in Europe.

Cristobal Huet's agent has been in communication with "a few" NHL teams. Huet is an unrestricted free agent and is hoping to return to the NHL for the first time since 2010. "I still belong, I'm better than some other guys, and I'd like another shot," Huet said. "The latest possible to give me a chance to be back to NHL. I'm ready to take the risk, and then if nothing, I will wait until something opens in Europe." Huet might have to settle for battling for the number two gig on a team during training camp.

Cristobal Huet is "exploring" the possibility of returning to the NHL, according to the Chicago Tribune's Chris Kuc. The 36-year-old hasn't played in the NHL since 2010 with the Blackhawks. He's spent the past two seasons in the Swiss League, finishing with a 1.99 goals-against average in 39 games in his most recent campaign. Huet was banished by the Hawks in order to avoid his $5.625 million cap hit, but will undoubtedly have to take a significant pay cut and back-up role if he latches on with an NHL team now.

Cristobal Huet has been loaned to HC Fribourg-Gotteron SA. Huet will spend another year in Europe, as the Chicago Blackhawks want to avoid his $5,625,000 cap hit. Huet's contract will expire at the end of this season, so he might be able to stage a comeback in 2012-13.

Cristobal Huet has been placed on waivers by the Chicago Blackhawks. Huet never had a chance to play for the Hawks as he slipped to fourth on the depth chart. He will head back to Europe if he passes waivers. This is just a bookkeeping move.