Post by Bob McKenzie on Feb 3, 2020 13:59:30 GMT -5
SCOUTING REPORT
4. Nikolai Khabibulin - Goalie - Russia - CSKA Moscow (Russia)
Khabibulin was selected in the ninth round of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets. In the 1993–94 season, he played with the touring Russian Penguins and by the start of the NHL season in January 1995, was playing in the NHL. In 1996, he moved with the Jets to Phoenix, Arizona, where they became the Coyotes. In five years with the Jets/Coyotes franchise, he started at least 60 games in three of those seasons (including two instances in which he played 70 games), a heavy workload for a goaltender. Although the team made the Stanley Cup playoffs each of these years, some claimed that their first-round exits were partly due to Khabibulin being fatigued from playing so many regular season games.
After the 1998–99 season, Khabibulin became embroiled in a bitter contract dispute with the Coyotes, and ended up holding out for an entire season. During this year, he played for the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League (IHL), earning the James Gatschene Memorial Trophy as league MVP.
On March 5, 2001, Khabibulin was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Mike Johnson, Paul Mara, Ruslan Zainullin and the New York Islanders' second-round choice (previously acquired; Phoenix selected Matthew Spiller). Khabibulin quickly signed a contract with Tampa Bay and by the next season, he re-emerged as a premier goaltender. At the 2002 NHL All-Star Game his flawless, 20-save third period allowed the World All-Stars to rally for a comeback 8–5 win. Though Éric Dazé of the Chicago Blackhawks was chosen as the All-Star MVP, Khabibulin's play was the talk of both locker rooms. Indeed, many players were surprised that Khabibulin wasn't named MVP, an honour they felt was deserved and obvious. MVP voting was allegedly conducted with about five minutes remaining in the game while the North American All-Stars still held the lead.
Joined by budding superstars Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards, Khabibulin helped lead the Lightning back to the playoffs in 2003, their first appearance since 1996, and then to a Stanley Cup in 2004, the first in franchise history. Khabibulin recorded five shutouts in 23 playoff games, including three shutouts in the first-round match-up against the New York Islanders (tied for an NHL record for most shutouts in a playoff round). Unlike his time in Phoenix, Khabibulin could enjoy extended rest when needed due to the skill of his backup, John Grahame.
AWARDS
Played in the NHL All-Star Game — 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003
2004 NHL Stanley Cup Champion — Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL 1997 Stanley Cup Playoffs — Save percentage Leader (.932)
NHL 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs — Wins Leader (16)
NHL 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs — Shutouts Leader (5)
Tied NHL record for most Shutouts in a Playoff Round — (3)
2011–12 season — Lowest GAA through the first nine games of a season since the NHL expansion (1967–68 season) (0.98)
1992 Winter Olympics (Ice Hockey) – Gold Medal
2002 Winter Olympics (Ice Hockey) – Bronze Medal
2002 Winter Olympics (Ice Hockey) – Best Goaltender Award (Directorate)
Won the James Gatschene Memorial Trophy (IHL) MVP) in 2000.
PROS:
One of the best goaltenders in the league... when he's sober.
CONS:
Is rarely sober.
4. Nikolai Khabibulin - Goalie - Russia - CSKA Moscow (Russia)
Khabibulin was selected in the ninth round of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets. In the 1993–94 season, he played with the touring Russian Penguins and by the start of the NHL season in January 1995, was playing in the NHL. In 1996, he moved with the Jets to Phoenix, Arizona, where they became the Coyotes. In five years with the Jets/Coyotes franchise, he started at least 60 games in three of those seasons (including two instances in which he played 70 games), a heavy workload for a goaltender. Although the team made the Stanley Cup playoffs each of these years, some claimed that their first-round exits were partly due to Khabibulin being fatigued from playing so many regular season games.
After the 1998–99 season, Khabibulin became embroiled in a bitter contract dispute with the Coyotes, and ended up holding out for an entire season. During this year, he played for the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League (IHL), earning the James Gatschene Memorial Trophy as league MVP.
On March 5, 2001, Khabibulin was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Mike Johnson, Paul Mara, Ruslan Zainullin and the New York Islanders' second-round choice (previously acquired; Phoenix selected Matthew Spiller). Khabibulin quickly signed a contract with Tampa Bay and by the next season, he re-emerged as a premier goaltender. At the 2002 NHL All-Star Game his flawless, 20-save third period allowed the World All-Stars to rally for a comeback 8–5 win. Though Éric Dazé of the Chicago Blackhawks was chosen as the All-Star MVP, Khabibulin's play was the talk of both locker rooms. Indeed, many players were surprised that Khabibulin wasn't named MVP, an honour they felt was deserved and obvious. MVP voting was allegedly conducted with about five minutes remaining in the game while the North American All-Stars still held the lead.
Joined by budding superstars Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards, Khabibulin helped lead the Lightning back to the playoffs in 2003, their first appearance since 1996, and then to a Stanley Cup in 2004, the first in franchise history. Khabibulin recorded five shutouts in 23 playoff games, including three shutouts in the first-round match-up against the New York Islanders (tied for an NHL record for most shutouts in a playoff round). Unlike his time in Phoenix, Khabibulin could enjoy extended rest when needed due to the skill of his backup, John Grahame.
AWARDS
Played in the NHL All-Star Game — 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003
2004 NHL Stanley Cup Champion — Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL 1997 Stanley Cup Playoffs — Save percentage Leader (.932)
NHL 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs — Wins Leader (16)
NHL 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs — Shutouts Leader (5)
Tied NHL record for most Shutouts in a Playoff Round — (3)
2011–12 season — Lowest GAA through the first nine games of a season since the NHL expansion (1967–68 season) (0.98)
1992 Winter Olympics (Ice Hockey) – Gold Medal
2002 Winter Olympics (Ice Hockey) – Bronze Medal
2002 Winter Olympics (Ice Hockey) – Best Goaltender Award (Directorate)
Won the James Gatschene Memorial Trophy (IHL) MVP) in 2000.
PROS:
One of the best goaltenders in the league... when he's sober.
CONS:
Is rarely sober.