Sunday, November 22, 2009

Back Scratches Khabibulin

A situation which is really similar to the post just before this one, which sees Nikolai Khabibulin as the victim of a sore back. Khabibulin was scheduled to start for the Oilers on Saturday night versus the Blackhawks, but also didn't pass through the initial test of the morning skate. The Oilers then had to sign the starting goaltender for the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL to an Amateur Tryout Contract, in order to come in and back-up Jeff Deslauriers for the night. There is no immediate word on Khabibulin's condition, but he is considered to be day-to-day for now.

ImplicationsThis is the other player I had mentioned in the Lupul article that has stayed out of John B.'s line-up in the Draft. Having your number one goalie go down is fairly devastating, because you are relying on his minutes to generate some regular points for you.

On the Sheet, he is one of the Western Conference starters in Box 15, but he wasn't popular enough to garner even one selection. His 14 points don't do him many favours for a selection as well, so I don't expect to see much of him in the pool.

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