• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Edmonton Oilers

Oilers goalie Khabibulin out with injury

By Marcy Di Michele February 21st, 2012

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Nikolai Khabibulin (Flickr/clydeorama)

The NHL trade deadline is exactly one week away, and the basement dwelling Edmonton Oilers will likely once again be sellers. One of the players rumored to be on the block was veteran goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin. With just one year left on his current deal, Khabby’s experience and Stanley Cup ring may have been tempting to contenders looking to for some insurance in net. While he has expressed his confidence that the Oilers are building the right way and heading in the right direction, he also made it clear that he would be okay with a trade if that’s how the cards played out.

“For any athlete you want to play games that mean something,” he said. “It would be nice to be in the playoffs, but having said that, I like this team, I want to see this team succeed and when it happens, I want to be a part of it.” – Toronto Sun

Unfortunately, all of that might end up being moot, as Khabibulin currently finds himself on the shelf with a groin injury. He felt tightness during the Oilers recent game against the Vancouver Canucks and was forced to leave. The team is being cautious with their goalie, and he’s expected to be out at least a week, and maybe longer. Could that scare off potential buyers? Possibly, given Khabibulin’s age and injury history. It will interesting to see what happens at the deadline, so expect the Oilers to be forthcoming with updates in the next week. Devan Dubnyk is expected to carry the mail in Khabibulin’s absence, and Yann Danis was called up to the back-up. Dubnyk is hoping to make the most of this opportunity, as he tries to prove he can be a number one goalie in the NHL. The Oilers aren’t sold on whether or not he’s the guy going forward. This season Dubnyk has a record of 10-14-1, with a .849 save percentage and .905 goals against average. The barrage of injuries on defence hasn’t helped those numbers, but Dubnyk might be running out of time to prove himself.

The Oilers are in Calgary tonight to face the Flames. Edmonton has lost 4 of their past 5 games, and the Flames are a hot team at the moment, as they fight to hold onto a playoff spot. The Oilers would no doubt love to douse the hopes of their provincial rivals with a win tonight. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been skating with a non-contact jersey, but continues to make steps toward his return to the line-up. Coach Tom Renney is expected to miss at least the next two games as he continues to suffer from a concussion he sustained in practice. A bright spot in Oiler nation at the moment? The play of Magnus Paajarvi. After his extended goaless drought, and bouncing around from the NHL to the AHL, he has 2 goals in his past 5 games and is playing with a lot of jump. The Oilers count on players like Paajarvi to take the heat of the top scorers. If he keeps it up, he will likely find himself up with the big club for good. Unless he becomes another victim of a trade scenario that is.

 

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 22nd 11:25 AM
Montreal Canadiens

Prospects News & Rumors: Caufield, Dobes, Power & More

Jan 22nd 11:15 AM
Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars Road Schedule Ravaged By COVID-19

Jan 22nd 10:55 AM
College Hockey

College Hockey Report: Riley vs. Riley, Family Members Faceoff Behind the Bench

Jan 22nd 10:45 AM
Nashville Predators

Predators: 3 Early Observations From the Young Season

Jan 22nd 10:35 AM
Washington Capitals

Capitals’ Backstrom Is Most Underrated Player in the NHL

Jan 22nd 10:25 AM
Colorado Avalanche

Kings Turn Tables On Avalanche For 4-2 Win

Jan 22nd 10:15 AM
Dallas Stars

3 Focuses for the Dallas Stars on Opening Night

Jan 22nd 10:05 AM
New York Islanders

Islanders Top Devils as Mat Barzal Continues to Grow

Jan 22nd 9:55 AM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Will Never Replace Joe Thornton in the Locker Room

Jan 22nd 9:45 AM
Chicago Blackhawks

4 Takeaways From Blackhawks’ Series With the Panthers

Editor’s Picks
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information