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Nikolai Khabibulin drops his DUI appeal, will go to jail

Nikolai Khabibulin

Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin watches as the puck sails into the net on a shot by St. Louis Blues’ Adam Cracknell in the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, March 24, 2011 in St. Louis. The Blues beat the Oilers 4-0.(AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

AP

Nikolai Khabibulin is doing the right thing and owning up to his crime.

Last summer, Khabibulin was convicted in an Arizona court of extreme DUI and reckless driving and sentenced to 30 days in jail. He filed an appeal to get a stay on his sentence, but today he’s opted to drop his appeal and serve his punishment.

According to a representative of Scottsdale City Court, he will spend 15 days in jail, with the other 15 days to be served at home with an electronic monitoring device. Khabibulin must also enter an alcohol treatment program.

Khabibulin was arrested and charged in February of last year in Scottsdale. Police say he was doing 70 miles/hr in a 40 miles/hr zone. They went to say that a breathalyzer showed he had at least twice the legal amount of alcohol in his system.


Khabibulin issued a statement on the situation and The Sporting News’ Craig Custance shares the word from the former Stanley Cup winning goalie.

“Over the past 6 months my appeals case has been pending with the Maricopa County Superior Court and, as of July 7, 2011, no Oral Argument date had been set. The length of this process has placed my attendance at training camp in serious jeopardy. Accordingly, despite assurances by legal counsel regarding the strength of my appeals case, I have decided to withdraw my appeal and proceed with sentencing by the Scottsdale Municipal Court.

“I readily accept the lawful sentence which has been imposed by the Scottsdale Municipal Court, which includes jail, fines and substance abuse counseling. I will fulfill all of my obligations required by Scottsdale and the State of Arizona in the coming month. Once completed, I eagerly anticipate a timely return to Edmonton for training camp, where I will strive to be the best player, teammate and citizen possible.”


Khabibulin’s sentence likely won’t have much of an effect on the Edmonton Oilers as he’ll likely be in and out of lockup before training camp begins in September. The Oilers already have a lot of options in goal as it is with Devan Dubnyk on the rise and now Yann Danis in the system as well. That’s of little consequence as Khabibulin’s conviction is embarrassing for himself and for the team as well.

Khabibulin has two more years remaining on a four-year, $15 million contract that the Oilers signed him to that also doubles as a 35+ deal meaning that his $3.75 million cap hit sticks around no matter what. If the Oilers are eager to let him go and try to get rid of him through any other means than a trade, they’ll be stuck owing him that money against the cap regardless of what they do with him. Expect that the Oilers and GM Steve Tambellini will stick by Khabibulin through this ordeal and get him back on the ice as long as he’s healthy.