Blackhawks Sign Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the Blackhawks have signed free agent goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin to a four-year contract for $27 million ($6.75 million per season).

“When we began this process, we targeted Nikolai Khabibulin and Adrian Aucoin as the two main players we wanted to sign,” said Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon. Not only did we accomplish our goal in signing these players, but we were also able to sign Martin LaPointe and Jaroslav Spacek. Along with Jassen Cullimore, Matthew Barnaby, and Curtis Brown whom we signed last year we feel that we have really improved our team.”

Tallon added, “I know our fans have gone through some difficult times, but we said that we would remain flexible and give ourselves a chance to improve our team under the new rules governing the NHL with a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. We planned ahead with this day in mind and we are extremely happy that we were able to achieve some of our goals.”

Khabibulin, a four-time NHL All-Star (1998, 1999, 2002, 2003) and Stanley Cup Champion
(2004) was Winnipeg’s 5th choice, 204th overall in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. A 32-year old, 6’1” and 203 pound goaltender, he has appeared in 476 career regular season NHL games posting a record of 209-187-58 with 35 shutouts while posting a 2.61 goals against average for the Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes and Tampa Bay Lightning in his nine NHL seasons. Khabibulin has also played in 57 Stanley Cup playoff games posting a record of 31-25 with six shutouts and a 2.27 goals against average and one Stanley Cup Championship.

Khabibulin played in 55 regular season games for the Lightning during the 2003-04 season, posting a 28-19-7 record with three shutouts, a 2.33 goals against average and a .910 save percentage. In the playoffs, he served as a cornerstone of the 2003-04 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning appearing in 23 games and posting a 16-7 record with a league five shutouts and a 1.71 goals against average. His five playoff shutouts led the league with his 1.71 goals against average ranked second among all playoff goaltenders.

Khabibulin skated overseas last season (2004-05) for Ak Bars Kazan in the Russian Elite League appearing in 24 games and posting a 1.65 goals against average (no record available). He also saw action in two playoff games.

Khabibulin represent the Russia at the 2002 Winter Olympics appearing in six games and posting a 3-2-1 record with one shutout and a 2.34 goals against average.

[AVALANCHE FAN]

I thought has was signing with Phoenix,what happened to that deal?

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

Originally Posted by AVALANCHE FAN

I thought has was signing with Phoenix,what happened to that deal?

No Money.

[Thrillhouse]

Good pick up but he's getting about 2 mil more than he should. Broudeur is getting $1.5 mil LESS. That's insane!

[LightningJeff]

Crud.

Oh well, I hope he enjoys his one and only Stanley Cup. Now the Bolts can concentrate on signing the rest of the team without having too many cap problems. Bolts still have plenty of scoring power and with the reduced goalie equipment and other rule changes assisting highpowered offenses, they should still be able to be a force.

[Humpzilla]

This some pretty disheartening news for all the Tampa Bay fans. Well, I think it's safe to say that you can kiss the Bolts chances of repeating goodbye. Hell, this might even be the beginning of the end for Vinny Lecavalier if that Koivu rumor is true. But who knows though!

This is what I wanted my original post to read, but for some reason I can't delete or edit the one above. Hey Thrill, can you delete my first post in this thread for me?

[BM24]

Originally Posted by Thrillhouse

Good pick up but he's getting about 2 mil more than he should. Broudeur is getting $1.5 mil LESS. That's insane!

You can't compare guys in a contract vs a guy in free agency. If Marty was a UFA right now, he would be getting the maximum for sure!

[Thrillhouse]

Originally Posted by BM24

You can't compare guys in a contract vs a guy in free agency. If Marty was a UFA right now, he would be getting the maximum for sure!

I don't think that matters. I thought we were in a new economic system? Isn't that why they sat out for a year? Overall, these contracts are ridiculously high.

[LightningJeff]

Originally Posted by Thrillhouse

I don't think that matters. I thought we were in a new economic system? Isn't that why they sat out for a year? Overall, these contracts are ridiculously high.

I think that's why some teams are hanging back. Eventually teams are going to run out of cap room and the patient orginizations will be able to sop up some gravy players for a bargin, just because they want an NHL contract. Just a theory.

[8BostonRocker24]

They Overpaid BIG TIME!

I am the only one that things this is a dumb move? What are they going to do with T-Bo? Trade him? I personally would much rather have him over Khabiblin.

It looks like the wheels are coming off this Stanley Cup Team. Anyone know if Dave Anderchyck is retiring? If he does, that's huge.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by 8BostonRocker24

I am the only one that things this is a dumb move? What are they going to do with T-Bo? Trade him? I personally would much rather have him over Khabiblin.

Yes. Khabibulin is 10x the goaltender that Thibault is.

Thibault will be traded now. There are plenty of teams that need help with goaltending. Wouldn't that be funny if he went to Tampa?

[scrapper62]

wow! The Blackhawks are going to be for real this season. At least on paper, that is.

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

Originally Posted by 8BostonRocker24

They Overpaid BIG TIME!

I am the only one that things this is a dumb move? What are they going to do with T-Bo? Trade him? I personally would much rather have him over Khabiblin.

It looks like the wheels are coming off this Stanley Cup Team. Anyone know if Dave Anderchyck is retiring? If he does, that's huge.

I agree its a bit Pricey for one Player. Dumb move? No not really, T-Bo will be out no doubt and that will freeup a ton of Money for the Hawks since Jocelyn was the most Expensive Blackhawk(2.35) before the New Agreement. Only this time we have a proven Goalie with a good amount of Playoff and Regular season success. The Blackhawk's were and still are in a position to make a lot of FA moves. ALot of people Hate Bill Wirtz (I still do) but the man is no slouch when it comes to business. This makes the Hawks a very solid Goaltending team with Leighton as a B-up we should be Ok in the Crease. Let just hope the New Goalie Pad rule screw anything up.

[O-Gnimh]

Great move! Excellent goaltenders (and habby IS one) are few. Hawks are looking strong defensively.

I rally had hoped he would stay in TB. Hopefully Graeme will step it up to the next level.

Where is T-Bo going? Hawks needs some scoring....

[Yoeddy]

T-Bo is a great goaltender, no doubt about it, but from a business point of view, it ain't working. How long has it been since they've won the Cup? Exactly. I'm stoked to see The Bulin Wall go to Chicago.