grim
8-05-05, 4:28 PM
Nikolai Khabibulin has signed on with the Chicago Blackhawks.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=132519
http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20040320/khabibulin_53788.jpg
Free agent Khabibulin joins Blackhawks
Nikolai Khabibulin
TSN.ca Staff
8/5/2005 1:43:41 PM
The most coveted goaltender in the free agent market has finally found a home, as veteran netminder Nikolai Khabibulin has signed with the Chicago Blackhawks.
It is a four-year deal worth $27 million US.
"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."
Related Info
* Blackhawks sign Lapointe, Spacek
* Blackhawks land free agent Aucoin
Khabibulin, 32, helped lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to their first Stanley Cup title in 2004, posting five postseason shutouts and a 1.71 goals-against average.
The native of Russia posted a 28-19-7 regualr season record in 2003-2004 with three shutouts and a 2.33 goals-against average.
Since being acquired from the Phoenix Coyotes on March 5, 2001, Khabibulin amassed a 83-74-28 record while leading the team to consecutive Southeast Division titles. He holds franchise records in wins, shutouts (14) and consecutive wins (eight).
Khabibulin skated for Ak Bars Kazan in the Russian Elite League during the lockout that wiped out last season, appearing in 24 games. He played for Russia at the 2002 Winter Olympics, going 3-2-1 with one shutout and a 2.34 goals against average.
He will be missed in Tampa Bay.
"When Nik Khabibulin came to this franchise he put the legs under the team," Lightning general manager Jay Feaster said. "He gave us the opportunity to win day in and day out.
"Is it a setback? It is," Feaster said.
Feaster added that Tampa Bay will be looking for another goaltender either through the free agent market or by a trade. Khabibulin's backup with the Lightning, John Grahame will be given a shot to win the top job.
"John Grahame is licking his chops to compete for that spot," Feaster said.
The signing will likely spell the end of Jocelyn Thibault's tenure in Chicago. The veteran netminder and restricted free agent was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens back in 1998.
The club made Thibault an offer of $2.35 million US last week to keep him from becoming an unrestricted free agent.
The Blackhawks also signed unrestricted free agent centre Jim Dowd, who played last season with Minnesota and Montreal.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=132519
http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20040320/khabibulin_53788.jpg
Free agent Khabibulin joins Blackhawks
Nikolai Khabibulin
TSN.ca Staff
8/5/2005 1:43:41 PM
The most coveted goaltender in the free agent market has finally found a home, as veteran netminder Nikolai Khabibulin has signed with the Chicago Blackhawks.
It is a four-year deal worth $27 million US.
"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."
Related Info
* Blackhawks sign Lapointe, Spacek
* Blackhawks land free agent Aucoin
Khabibulin, 32, helped lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to their first Stanley Cup title in 2004, posting five postseason shutouts and a 1.71 goals-against average.
The native of Russia posted a 28-19-7 regualr season record in 2003-2004 with three shutouts and a 2.33 goals-against average.
Since being acquired from the Phoenix Coyotes on March 5, 2001, Khabibulin amassed a 83-74-28 record while leading the team to consecutive Southeast Division titles. He holds franchise records in wins, shutouts (14) and consecutive wins (eight).
Khabibulin skated for Ak Bars Kazan in the Russian Elite League during the lockout that wiped out last season, appearing in 24 games. He played for Russia at the 2002 Winter Olympics, going 3-2-1 with one shutout and a 2.34 goals against average.
He will be missed in Tampa Bay.
"When Nik Khabibulin came to this franchise he put the legs under the team," Lightning general manager Jay Feaster said. "He gave us the opportunity to win day in and day out.
"Is it a setback? It is," Feaster said.
Feaster added that Tampa Bay will be looking for another goaltender either through the free agent market or by a trade. Khabibulin's backup with the Lightning, John Grahame will be given a shot to win the top job.
"John Grahame is licking his chops to compete for that spot," Feaster said.
The signing will likely spell the end of Jocelyn Thibault's tenure in Chicago. The veteran netminder and restricted free agent was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens back in 1998.
The club made Thibault an offer of $2.35 million US last week to keep him from becoming an unrestricted free agent.
The Blackhawks also signed unrestricted free agent centre Jim Dowd, who played last season with Minnesota and Montreal.