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By Racki, August 26, 2010 10:58 pm

Rekhabi looks good in orange..

Friday (August 26th… tomorrow.. today… yesterday, depending on when you read this) is the day Nikolai Khabibulin finds out his fate (assuming no more delays).

For those who have been living in a hole, or who google this article 12 years from now, Khabibulin was arrested for Extreme DUI on February 8, 2010 – caught ripping around in his Ferrari with a blood-alcohol level of 0.16% (2x the legal limit). If found guilty, Rekhabi could face a minimum of 30 days in federal, pound-me-in-the-ass prison. OK, really, it’s more likely to be a pretty cush prison, once attended by the likes of Lindsay Lohan, and not a maximum security prison like wherever Robert Downey Jr. has spent 16 of the last 20 years of his life.

Read on here, in the Edmonton Journal article (which has thrilling information in the article such as what color of underwear inmates at Tent City in Arizona wear – pink).

I still think Khabibulin is our best bet in goal this year (Martin Gerber included) if healthy and if un-incarcerated. But that said, I don’t really have sympathy for drunk drivers.

UPDATED: The trial is set for 2:30PM MST.

UPDATE 2 (@5:30PM): Khabibulin has been found guilty on 3 of the 4 charges: DUI over 0.08, extreme DUI (over 0.16) and excessive speeding. The charge of impairment to the slightest degree was thrown out. Sentencing will occur at a later date, but assuming no changes in the ruling (not sure if this part can be appealed??), Khabibulin will spend at least 30 days in prison.

UPDATE 3 (@6:05PM): Tentative sentencing date, pending approval by the state: August 31st… moving pretty fast, which is good for Rekhabi.

UPDATE 4 (@7:00PM): Tweeted by John Shannon of Sportsnet: “NHL source confirms a suspension from the league is possible.”

Update 5 (@7:45PM): The Oilers have released an official statement on the ruling:

UPDATE 6 (@11:15AM, Aug 28): Per Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet: “Nik Khabibulin’s sentence hearing in Phoenix is scheduled for Tuesday @ 3 pm MST”. Also per John Shannon of Sportsnet: “Don’t be surprised if the Oilers discipline Khabibulin soon after Tuesday’s sentence.”

Comments (32)

By Steve-O, August 26, 2010 1:42 pm

Is it a bird? A plane? NO...its the savior of Oilers hockey!

Well considering that it looks as though the GM has finished making his moves for the year, and that training camp will be starting sooner than later I figured that I should get on this and take a look at the team in the coming year.

Again, much like I did last year, I am going to do a series of posts discussing the team and how I think they will do in the coming year. Reading musts is Lowetide and his breakdown of each player, and big props to Behind the Net and Capgeek for all of my stats/salary info.
Continue reading 'Break It Down! – Forwards (2010/11 Edition)'»

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By Racki, August 25, 2010 2:12 pm

Shenanigate... not to be confused with Shannahanigate

So for those who aren’t sure where to point the finger (is it Rogers’ fault, or is it the other carriers’ fault?), it sounds like there is enough blame to go around, although Rogers feels that it rests on the shoulders of the competition. Rogers Sportsnet President Doug Beeforth stated recently that people are wrongly blaming Rogers for the lack of Sportsnet One on competitive carriers. “We have made this signal free of charge to all the carriers for the first three months,” he said in an interview with Globe And Mail. “We gave them two months’ notice of our plans. Why aren’t they offering a free channel to see whether the public wants the service? We are absorbing the production costs of games so people can see what we’re offering. I think fans have to be asking the other carriers why they’re not carrying the signal rather than blaming us for providing a new service.”

So the problem is simply this… Rogers bought up the rights for broadcasting certain games. It’s already available on their TV service (which we don’t have here in Western Canada). Shaw, Bell, TELUS and any other competitors Continue reading 'Shenanigate – An update on Rogers Sportsnet One'»

Comments (7)

By Racki, August 24, 2010 8:34 am

Oilers find play by play guy

I’ve never heard of the guy, but welcome aboard Jack. You have some pretty big shoes to fill.

Comments (9)

By Racki, August 19, 2010 2:21 pm

Catch an OKC Barons game on CBC this year..

Per Oilers.com:

The Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League will be featured as part of a 10-game Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) series called “AHL on CBC” during the 2010-11 season, the American Hockey League office announced today.

All 10 games in the AHL on CBC series will feature AHL teams affiliated with one of the six Canadian NHL teams. The Barons, the primary developmental affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers, will be showcased October 24 when they travel to Ontario to play the Hamilton Bulldogs, top affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens. Faceoff is set for 1 p.m. (EDT). Other teams participating are the Abbotsford Heat (Calgary Flames), Manitoba Moose (Vancouver Canucks), Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Binghamton Senators (Ottawa Senators).

CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada Saturday broadcasts will be followed by an AHL on CBC game on 10 Sunday afternoons, giving fans across Canada a chance to cheer on the NHL stars of tomorrow. All games will also be available live and on-demand on CBCSports.ca. Continue reading 'CBC to show an OKC Barons game for a 10-game “AHL on CBC”'»