Oilers Land Nikolai Khabibulin

caps05 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 04:01 PM

General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin on a four-year contract.

Khabibulin, 36, is coming off a stellar 2008-09 season with the Chicago Blackhawks, leading the Blackhawks into the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in six years.

In 42 games last season, Khabibulin was 25-8-7 with a 2.33 goals against average and a .919 save percentage. Both his goals against average (3rd) and his save percentage (6th) were among the best in the National Hockey League. He also played 15 games in the playoffs, posting an 8-6-0 record with a 2.93 goals against average and an .898 save percentage.

Steve Tambellini says, “Nikolai is a world class goaltender who has proven himself throughout his career as one of the best in the game. He has had success at many levels of hockey and we’re looking forward to seeing him continue that success here in Edmonton.”

The native of Sverdlovsk, Russia, has played 678 career NHL games, establishing a career record of 299-267-58, including a 2.67 goals against average and a .908 save percentage. In 72 career post-season games, he is 39-31 with a 2.40 goals against average and a .917 save percentage.

Khabibulin was a member of Tampa Bay’s Stanley Cup winning team in 2004, posting a 1.71 goals against average and five shutouts in 23 games.

On the international stage, Khabibulin has captured two Olympic medals. At the 2002 Winter Olympics, he backstopped Team Russia to the bronze medal, while playing every minute of the tournament. His outstanding play was recognized by the International Ice Hockey Federation as he was selected as the tournament’s top goaltender. In 1992, he was a backup goaltender for The Unified Team that won the gold medal at the Winter Olympic Games in Albertville, France.

Anthony19 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 04:07 PM

Man Khabibulin is an asshole. He really doesn't care about a cup. The Hawks are kicking themselves right now, and so is Hossa.

Oilers fan can breath a sigh of relief as they might even reach the playoffs now!

thepolishkid88 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 04:09 PM

4 yrs 15 mil...per mckenzie

lakingsfan19 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 04:09 PM

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=283439

Purely_Purinton · #5 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony19

Man Khabibulin is an asshole. He really doesn't care about a cup. The Hawks are kicking themselves right now, and so is Hossa.

Oilers fan can breath a sigh of relief as they might even reach the playoffs now!

Khabibulin already has a cup, so why not go for the money?

Anthony19 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purely_Purinton

Khabibulin already has a cup, so why not go for the money?

He has made 27 mil the last 4 years. What ever he gets now is just icing on the cake.

He is only getting 3.75mil a year with the Oil. I'm sure the Hawks could of bettered that.

**Thrillhouse** · #7 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 04:16 PM

Hmmm, a little long for a guy of his age. No doubt the cap hit is nice, but I can't see him being healthy.

Godly_goon · #8 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 04:20 PM

well we got a starting goalie with some playoff experience and a ring underhis belt so he should be able to teach JDD a thing or to.. and very happy to see the flame extinguiser in oil country

**canuckfan** · #9 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 04:24 PM

I think this was a good signing for Edmonton. In a division that includes the likes of Luongo, Backstrom, and Kipprusoff, you need good goaltending to compete in the NW division - and I think he's a huge upgrade on Rolison. Maybe a little long in the tooth, but thats a pretty decent cap hit. Good signing by the Oilers - maybe that will help convince Heatley to waive the no-trade caluse.

Corpse · #10 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony19

He has made 27 mil the last 4 years. What ever he gets now is just icing on the cake.

He is only getting 3.75mil a year with the Oil. I'm sure the Hawks could of bettered that.

Besides the fact that they hung him out to dry and never once denied every rumour under the sun that had him traded to almost every team in the league the past 2 years. Then they try and banish him out of the league to the KHL and offer him up for free to any takers. Ya what the hell is he thinking not re-signing with them....lol.

Good signing for the Oilers if he has another year like he did last year where he stood on his head and carried the lowely Blackhawks to the Playoffs for the first time in however long. Good price range for a starting goalie who has a cup under his belt.

Godly_goon · #11 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 04:33 PM

yea i think this will make heatley more intrested in coming to edmonton now we have a starting goalie thats always key..

and last night i was at the lake no computer no cell phone service and some dick came up to us and said OILERS GOT HEATLEY!! THEY JUST SIGNED HIM!! so like all night we are so pumped ****ing toasting it up to heatley coming to edmonton i get home this morning come to hockeyfights.com hoping to see that its true.. but nope wasnt true now im ****ing so pissed

Anthony19 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corpse

Besides the fact that they hung him out to dry and never once denied every rumour under the sun that had him traded to almost every team in the league the past 2 years. Then they try and banish him out of the league to the KHL and offer him up for free to any takers. Ya what the hell is he thinking not re-signing with them....lol.

Good signing for the Oilers if he has another year like he did last year where he stood on his head and carried the lowely Blackhawks to the Playoffs for the first time in however long. Good price range for a starting goalie who has a cup under his belt.

Hawks
Kane/Toews/Hossa/Keith/Seabrook/Campbell/Huet

or

Edmonton
Souray......

I would pick the Hawks.

Besides the Hawks thought they were going to be over the cap, so they tried to make the cap. Players got hurt (Sopel, Johnson, Wisniewski, Etc) and they were able to keep him.

Word · #13 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 04:36 PM

Not a fan of this trade.

Khabi did not do well in the playoffs, IMO. Most games he sucked.

Corpse · #14 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony19

Hawks
Kane/Toews/Hossa/Keith/Seabrook/Campbell/Huet

or

Edmonton
Souray......

I would pick the Hawks.

Besides the Hawks thought they were going to be over the cap, so they tried to make the cap. Players got hurt (Sopel, Johnson, Wisniewski, Etc) and they were able to keep him.

Do you really think they offered him the same money and length of deal? I don't see a lot of wiggle room in the Windy City a year from now. Plus Hossa is a jinx, no wonder he left town.

Anthony19 · #15 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corpse

Do you really think they offered him the same money and length of deal? I don't see a lot of wiggle room in the Windy City a year from now. Plus Hossa is a jinx, no wonder he left town.

Not Length. Prolly more per year. I think they offered a two year deal. Thats basically the window that they have. They guys on TSN were saying the 4 year deal allows him to stay in the NHL longer. (NO ****)

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