More on Khabibulin, O’Neill Comeback?
July 18th, 2008 by Jason ChenNikolai Khabibulin is the most tossed around name these days, and with the Sens and Kings interested, the Lightning have apparently entered the rumour mill as well. Should the Lightning re-acquire Khabibulin (and that’s a big if), they will definitely have to part ways with either Mike Smith or Karri Ramo, or even both, along with at least $2-4m in player salaries for them to be under the cap enough to start the season. I don’t think this is going to happen, and the rumour is probably just a result of Brian Lawton kicking some tires, and it really makes zero sense for the Lightning, as they’ve just traded away a $6m man in Dan Boyle.
Should the Kings get Khabibulin, it gives them a valuable trading piece at the deadline, should they wish to deal him, and stock up their future with picks and prospects. However, like stated before they lack any valuable assets to sweeten the pot for Chicago, and I think Dean Lombardi would be (and should be) unwilling to part with their picks, Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Jonathan Bernier, and Jack Johnson. I don’t think Dale Tallon is in any hurry to deal Khabibulin, although I think it is in their best interests to enter training camp with Cristobal Huet as their number one. Having roughly $11m tied up in two potential starters is ridiculous, and even when Anaheim had Ilya Bryzgalov and J-S Giguere it didn’t cost them nearly as much. Keep in mind that the Kings are still roughly $10m below the cap floor, which means that free agent busts and bad contracts like Michal Handzus‘ and Kyle Calder’s will be staying.
The Hurricanes are looking to bolster their offense (pay attention, Lawton) and have reportedly contacted Jeff O’Neill about a possible comeback. O’Neill did not play last season after the Leafs and his agent could not agree on an extension. O’Neill is preparing himself for a comeback, but the 32-year old has a lot of work to do should he choose to do so. O’Neill is reportedly looking for a one way deal, but Jim Rutherford is only prepared to offer him a two-way contract, and is expecting O’Neill to start the season with Albany, the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate. O’Neill would be hard-pressed to find himself a one-way contract, after sitting out all of last season, and it might be in his best interest to accept the offer. Should he perform well in Albany or a player get injured, he would certainly be one of the first call-ups of the season.
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2 Responses to “More on Khabibulin, O’Neill Comeback?”
By Troy on Jul 18, 2008
It would be stupid to re-acquire Khabby. He’s a soon-to-be 36 year old with a ridiculous contract. I can’t fathom him again in a Bolts sweater.
As for Khabby-to-Kings, any word on who they’d give up? I doubt the Kings would give up any of their top youngsters to get Khabibulin.
By Jason C on Jul 18, 2008
The original rumour had the Kings giving up Kopitar, but I find that highly unlikely, and in the event that the Hawks do get him, it’s another big check mark beside Tallon’s name.
If the Hawks’ only intention and foremost priority is to shed salary and not add depth to their skaters, then it’s possible that they could no players in return, meaning just picks, for Bulin. However, if the Kings really want Bulin, I don’t think the Hawks will ask for anything later than a first rounder, be it 2009 or 2010. The Kings still have to sign Stoll and O’Sullivan, but even if both are signed they’d still be well under the cap floor.