“I was with Nik in Phoenix a number of years ago where Nik was out of shape, smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee, the whole nine yards” - Tampa Bay Head Coach John Tortorella.

 

I came across this amazing quote while I was doing research for this column, and Nikolai Khabibulin instantly became my favorite NHL player. He sucked down cancer sticks while still playing over 70 games a season for the Phoenix Coyotes, as one of the top goalies in the NHL. It is one thing for like a bowler or 1st baseman to smoke cigarettes, they do not really have to move.

Without even touching on the mental challenges, playing goalie is one of the most physically demanding tasks in all of sports. In no other game does one player stay on the field of play for the entire game. To do that and then exit the rink breathing smoke from your lungs is just an amazing idea. Anyway, enough with the smokes and on with the column.

Khabibulin is in the middle of his 13th NHL season, along the way he has built quite a resume. He has yet to win a Vezina or Hart trophy, but he was the goalie for the 2004 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning. In 1999, he won the IHL MVP, playing for Long Beach Ice Dogs.

“Wait Charlie, if he’s been in the NHL for 13 years, why was he in IHL in 1999?”

Do not forget Dear Reader, that was the year Khabibulin was locked in a contract dispute with the Phoenix Coyotes. Following an insane 3 year work load of 205 regular season games, 18 playoff games and thousands of squares, Khabibulin felt he should be getting some overtime pay.

Due to his indentured servant level workload, Khabibulin held out for the entire 1998-99 season, and suited up for the Ice Dogs. At least that’s what Wikipedia said (1). And I always unquestionably trust Wikipedia. Always..

Unfortunately, over the same period, his “sabbatical” he decided to quit smoking (2), so I don’t like him anymore.

Psych!

Actually I do not judge people just on smoking or not, even if it makes them “cool.” Supposedly coach Dennis Savard smoked back in the day, too, but that is irrelevant. The point is, Khabibulin held out, got paid, and came back better than ever to win a Stanley Cup for a franchise that never should of existed in the first place.

And now he’s on the Hawks. Here is a comparison of the best year’s of the Bulin (3) Wall’s and what the Blackhawk franchise did to him:

"Bulin Wall highlights with a score John Williams wishes he could have created."

What the heck man?

Needless to analyze further, Nikolai did not really make it easy for Hawks fans to stomach $27 million the frigging commie was pulling in.

The good news is that in both Phoenix and Tampa Bay, Khabibulin’s worst year by far was the first one. At both past stops, Bulin improved drastically each year following the rough one.

“Fine Charlie, I’ll agree that his second Hawks year was better, but he’s done. At his age, what do you really think, he has anything left in the tank?”

Oh, silly reader, how unfortunate it is that I know your questions before I write my columns, giving me time to research and prepare my devastating responses. Of course he has gas left in the tank. How else do you think he gets to Hawks practice every day? Riding his bike?

OK, seriously, Hawks should not worry too much over Nikolai’s advancing age. Given what a mind trip playing goalie is it makes sense that older, experienced and tested goalies would have an advantage over their youthful competitors. Learning angles better, becoming more efficient in their moves and taking better care of their boides lets many NHL goalies play strong late into their thirties. Check out the years other top netminders had at 34,

I’ll give you the first three, they’re hall of famers, but Roloson is not in their class.

True. Roloson has never won a Vezina and will not be enshrined in Toronto, but that only further reinforces my point. If Roloson can have a career year at 34, there is no reason for Hawks fans to not expect greatness from Khabibulin.

You do realize, Charlie, that Nik’s birthday is January 13th, at which point your whole silly “34” theory goes the way of a fresh pack during Khabibulin’s early days: DISAPPEARS.

Come on Reader, give me some slack here. OK, OK, the 34 theory was forced and I shouldn’t have used it given his upcoming anniversary.

I should have said don’t worry Hawks fans, Khabibulin is about to turn 35. The same age as a much lesser goalie, Chris Osgood, who is having the best season of his All-Star career.

More articles by CS Sports Columnist / Charlie Danoff

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