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Blackhawks bring back Nikolai Khabibulin

Nikolai Khabibulin

Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, right, from Russia, looks at the puck as Calgary Flames’ Tom Kostopoulos tries to swat it past him during first-period NHL hockey game action in Calgary, Alberta, Wednesday, April 6, 2011.(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh)

AP

With Ray Emery headed back to Philadelphia, the Chicago Blackhawks found their new backup via a retread as well. Nikolai Khabibulin signed a one-year deal with the team, according to CSNChicago.com’s Tracey Myers.

The financial terms aren’t clear yet, but one can just about guarantee that “The Bulin Wall” took a massive cut from the $3.75 million he earned in 2013. Update: his agent Jay Grossman indicates it’s $2 million, although some of that is based on incentives.

While it’s reasonable to worry how well the 40-year-old can back Corey Crawford, Khabibulin seems to up his game when his contract is about to expire, last season included.

Obviously a lot of variables can influence these numbers, but it’s still amusing to compare and contrast his contract year work to the season he endured before. Here’s a chronology:

Winnipeg/Phoenix

1997-98: 70 games played, .900 save percentage
1998-99: 63 GP, .923 save percentage

Tampa Bay

2002-03: 65 GP, .911 save percentage
2003-04: 55 GP, .910 save percentage ... however, he won the Stanley Cup and had a .933 save percentage in the playoffs

Chicago

2007-08: 50 GP, .909 save percentage
2008-09: 42 GP, .919 save percentage (stole fellow contract year beneficiary Cristobal Huet’s job)

Edmonton

2011-12: 40 GP, .910 save percentage
2013: 12 GP, .923 save percentage

Again, those numbers could be purely coincidental, and he’s had other strong seasons in his career.

Still, if Blackhawks fans want a reason to feel better about the team signing an aging goalie who experienced some personal issues during his time with Edmonton, his work in contract years might help.