Oilers can get as much as a second round pick for Nikolai Khabibulin, former GM says.

The Sportsnet panel of Nick Kypreos and Doug MacLean, both NHL insiders, weighed in on the Edmonton Oilers possibly trading 40-year-old goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, who has a gaudy .927 save percentage in 2013.

“The big guy, obviously, that stands out is Khabibulin,” Kypreos said, when assessing Oilers’ trade prospects. “You don’t want to miss the playoffs and have Khabibulin at the end of the year.”

Some teams don’t want to make a long-term commitment to a Roberto Luongo or a Miikka Kiprusoff, so Khabibulin is a better  bet, Kypreos said, suggesting there is a market for the veteran goalie.

“I think he fits right in there with a lot of teams,” said former NHL GM Doug MacLean, adding teams are nervous about the price they would have to pay for Luongo, Jonathan Bernier or Ben Bishop.

“I think you can get Khabibulin for the right price point and he can come in and bring you some stability and security. … I think he’s a second round pick for Khabibulin.”

http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2013/03/25/oilers-can-get-as-much-as-a-second-round-pick-for-nikolai-khabibulin-former-gm-says/