Confirmed with Link: Nikolai Khabibulin returns to Hawks (1 yr deal)

[hockeydoug]

Chris Botta says he's a Blackhawk.
https://twitter.com/ChrisBottaNHL

 

[CPHawksFan]

I just read on the main boards that this is official...1-year deal.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[IU Hawks fan]

I like this a lot.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Cool with me

 

[madgoat33]

never shoulda left. ****ing huet

 

[HockeySauce]

Happy for Khabi. Good that it's a 1-year deal. Raanta will be the starter in the AHL, Simpson the backup. I like our goaltending situation going forward.

 

[Thucydides]

glad he is back!

 

[Easton Modano Curve]

I like this:

1) Legit NHL #2 on short deal
2) Depth (injuries happen)
3) Raanta gets to play more games while adjusting to new angles of NA ice
4) Keeping that second Raanta contract cheap

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Gotta agree with getting Raanta AHL playing time for development vs. riding the Hawks' bench for ~90% of the games. Such a regular season workload for Crow would surely be foolish and irresponsible on Stan's part. Khabby makes a lot of sense for the Hawks on multiple levels if he still has game. Your post, however, made me wonder: what if Raanta stinks AND Bulin's done? THEN what?

Then we're probably boned if Crawford goes down and we try to go out and get a plan D backup or have a backup by committee.

But you can't reliably have an insurance policy on an insurance policy. Having Bulin act as the backup and Raanta in Rockford ready for the phone call gives us three options, whereas only having Raanta up here and some nobody down there only gives us two options.

 

[ImDaBaron]

Really glad to have him back

 

[ndgt10]

Bulin!

 

[HockeySauce]

Yep, you can only do so much. The Hawks aren't winning the Cup with any of the backups on the market. Maybe Thomas, if he has game left, but that seems iffy. Not many teams in the NHL have two #1 goalies. If the #1 goes down, you're boned. **** happens in hockey.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Khabi does his best work in contract years to boot

 

[McDooRoo]

It better be for less than 1.65 mil I dang well know that because if its more than people in the front office need kicked.

 

[ndgt10]

It better be for less than 1.65 mil I dang well know that because if its more than people in the front office need kicked.

It's only a 1 year deal so it really doesn't matter.

 

[Easton Modano Curve]

It better be for less than 1.65 mil I dang well know that because if its more than people in the front office need kicked.

 

[Sokil]

love this signing, love habby

 

[Cullksinikers]

I found a player shirt at Goodwill of his last summer that was barely worn for $1. Genius purchase.

 

[Hewy]

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 19s
Ok last hockey tweet, Khabibulin deal could be worth up to $2 M next season if he reaches all his bonuses. But base salary lower

 

[CPHawksFan]

It better be for less than 1.65 mil I dang well know that because if its more than people in the front office need kicked.

I think Emery was looking for a chance to compete for #1 goalie somewhere more than he was looking for some huge raise in pay...if he proves he can be a #1, THEN he can cash in somewhere.

 

[HockeySauce]

2M for Khabi. 1.7M and 300K in games played bonuses. Per his agent's twitter, Jay Grossman.

 

[The Instigator]

Wouldn't be surprised if bulin-wall thinks he could beat out Crawford.

Wouldn't be surprised if he did.

Trololololol

In all honesty I'm his biggest fan. Jersey, signature, mini shrine for him, etc.

 

[McDooRoo]

I think Emery was looking for a chance to compete for #1 goalie somewhere more than he was looking for some huge raise in pay...if he proves he can be a #1, THEN he can cash in somewhere.

I don't doubt that, but at the amount that we are paying Bulin we could've at least tried to get Emery signed and by the way Emery talked after signing with Philly we didnt make a very good run at him. He went from wanting to be back to now our hes in Philly and we are screwed if Crow goes down

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

The 4 years since he left Hawks

09/10 = 7-9-2 with 3.03 GAA / .909 Sv Pct
10/11 = 10-32-4 with 3.40 GAA / .890 Sv Pct (2 SO)
11/12 = 12-20-7 with 2.65 GAA / .910 Sv Pct (2 SO)
12/13 = 4-6-1 with 2.54 GAA / .923 Sv Pct (1 SO)

Injury concerns are valid issue but he is still quality backup on ice