While the off the ice stories have been piling up this summer with signings, rejected contracts, and KHL poaching’s it was revealed on Friday that Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin was found guilty on two of three DUI charges in Phoenix, Arizona. The 37-year-old Yekaterinburg native was pulled over back on February 8 where he was charged with speeding, driving while intoxicated, and impaired to a slight degree.
The latter of those charges were tossed out but the Bulin Wall was sentenced to 30 days in prison which is the minimum sentence one can receive under Arizona law yesterday. Khabibulin and his lawyers have already submitted an appeal which could take several months. The Oilers expect the goaltender to enter the NHL’s substance abuse program as well as be in camp once it opens.
It would be his second year of his four year contract with the team which he signed for $15 million. He only featured in 18 games last season due to injury but did reach career win 300 before heading to the injured reserve.