Nikolai Khabibulin

[ColdSteel2]

I still definitely think he has enough skill to play well, but I also think he should work on his positioning.

 

[BlackhawksHawkey]

I think he's trying to much. Many times during the games against Tampa and Ottawa you could see him taking himself out of position to trap a 50/50 puck in front of the crease. Exhibit A for this is the OT winner in Tampa. He just needs to let the game come to him.

 

[Salvaged Ship]

I see Raanta's save percentage at Rockford is .926. Looks good to me, give Khabibulin one more chance and if he sucks it might be time to make the change.

 

[RFIP]

I've been a Khabibulin fan but to me he looks done. In fact I expected yesterday to read they re-called Raanta but it didn't happen.

That said, I trust Q implicitly so I'm fine deferring to him on all personal issues.

 

[Bubba88]

I'd play Raanta in the NHL already... but I've seen him play before he signed with the Hawks and wanted them to sign him

 

[Johnny HFBOARDS]

It would rock to see the Bulin Wall again in Winnipeg 1 more time, damn we had some great young players all at once.....

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

It would rock to see the Bulin Wall again in Winnipeg 1 more time, damn we had some great young players all at once.....

The Jets not giving Khabby the #1 job earlier cost them playoffs in 95 lockout season IMO

Tim Cheveldae was so terrible at that point it was clear to anyone watching who was best option for Jets

Of course your coaches/management thought differently

 

[Kaners PPGs]

Crawfords contract will look fine in a few years when Lundys making 9mil and Niemi is making 8.

This

If we had Waite I'd still feel a little better.

 

[WarriorofTime]

I'm surprised he never chose to go to the KHL considering his age and the fact that he hasn't had a chance to start in a while, but hey good for him for wanting to stick it out in NA.

 

[Bubba88]

Maybe he knows his body couldn't handle the load of playing 45+ games a year? That he's a backup at best at this stage of his career? We'd start Raanta over him if Crawford goes down for months.

 

[Hawksfan2828]

I think he's trying to much. Many times during the games against Tampa and Ottawa you could see him taking himself out of position to trap a 50/50 puck in front of the crease. Exhibit A for this is the OT winner in Tampa. He just needs to let the game come to him.

He's just getting old...

 

[Hawksfan2828]

I will say I'm impressed with guys that can play at a professional level into their 40's....

Think about this - some guys playing in the NHL today weren't even born when Khabby started his first game for the Jets...

 

[n7]

I was happy to see him gone in Edmonton since we knew he was done.

But then we got LOLbarbera, who is even worse...

At least you have a solid starter, but yeah, Khabby isn't really good for much anymore.

 

[SLarmer28*]

Meanwhile, the goaltending down in Rockford has fallen apart.

 

[WarriorofTime]

I will say I'm impressed with guys that can play at a professional level into their 40's....

Think about this - some guys playing in the NHL today weren't even born when Khabby started his first game for the Jets...

Not so sure that applies to Khabi..

 

[hockeydoug]

3 more starts before quitting on him. Hawks racking up points, they can be a little patient.

 

[IU Hawks fan]

Meanwhile, the goaltending down in Rockford has fallen apart.

* Antti Raanta 12 616:44 30 0 2.92 6 5 0 333 303 0.910


Yep, clearly ready for the big club

 

[LBS8844]

3 more starts before quitting on him. Hawks racking up points, they can be a little patient.

This.

 

[Bubba88]

For a team that has missed the POs the last few years, having a goalie with 91% isn't that bad while he has won them few games. He wouldn't be worse than what Khabby has shown so far.