Oilers Sign Nikolai Khabibulin to 4-Year, $15 Million Contract

After parting ways with goaltender Dwayne Roloson, the Oilers pulled the trick out of their sleeve and signed unrestricted free-agent Nikolai Khabibulin. 

The former Stanley Cup winner enjoyed a great comeback year last season, posting a 25-8-7 record.  This came after being placed on waivers to start the season, since GM Dale Tallon brought in unrestricted free-agent goaltender Cristobal Huet for a long-term contract.  Khabibulin took his job back in classy form, being one of the better goaltenders in the league by the start of 2009. 

The Oilers were desperately in need of goaltending help, with Roloson departing for Long Island a few hours ago.  As it stood, the only goalie under contract that could possibly start in the NHL is Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers.  Nikolai adds Stanley Cup experience as well as the right attitude to make it through the long NHL playoffs.

For the deal that both parties came to, this is a steal for the Oilers.  At an average of $3.75 million per year, the Oilers got exactly what they wanted.  If Khabibulin can play as well as he did last season, the Oilers are a shoe-in for the playoffs.