23. Nikolai Khabibulin

While Nikolai Khabibulin actually has a losing won/loss record in the NHL, nobody can say that he did not have a very good career in the National Hockey League. The “Bulin Wall” may never have been considered the top goaltender in the league (or maybe even in the top three), but he was always better than most of his peers and did backstop the Lightning to a Stanley Cup, becoming the first Russian to do so. Throw in the fact that he also had an excellent performance leading the Russians to the Olympic Gold Medal, and you have the makings of a fringe candidate for the Hall of Fame.

Should Nikolai Khabibulin be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 76%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 9.8%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 5.5%

No opinion. - 0%

No way! - 8.7%

The Bullet Points

Country of Origin: Sverdlovsk, The Soviet Union
Eligible Since: Sunday, 01 January 2017
Position: Goalie
Games Played: 799
Notable Statistics:
333 Wins
334 Losses
97 Ties
46 Shutouts
2.72 Goals Against Average
.907 Save Percentage
132.4 Goalie Point Shares

72 Playoff Games
39 Wins
31 Losses
6 Shutouts
2.40 Goals Against Average
.917 Save Percentage
Played For: Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers, Phoenix Coyotes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Winnipeg Jets
Non-NHL Teams: Team Russia (Olympics 2002 & 2006, World Cup of Hockey 1996 & 2004, World Junior Hockey Championships 1993)
The Unified Team (Olympics 1992: World Juior Hockey Championships 1992)
CSKA Moscow (Russian League)
Ak Bars Kazan (Russian League)
Major Accolades and Awards: Stanley Cup Rings (1) (Tampa Bay Lightning, 2004)
NHL All-Star (4) (1998, 1999, 2002 & 2003)
Olympic Gold Medal (1) (The Unified Team, 1992)
Olympic Bronze Medal (1) (Russia, 2002)
Notable Top Ten Finishes: Top Ten Vezina Trophy Finishes:
8th in 2002 & 7th in 2003
3 Top Ten Goalie Win Finishes
6 Top Ten Saves Finishes
4 Top Ten Save Percentage Finishes
2 Top Ten Goals Against Average Finishes
3 Top Ten Shutout Finishes
5 Top Ten Minutes Played Finishes
4 Top Ten Goalie Point Shares Finishes
2 Top Ten Point Shares Finishes
Rankings: 17. Saves: 20,258
18. Games Played by a Goalie: 799
20. Minutes Played: 45,609
21. Goalie Point Shares: 132.4
27. Wins: 333
34. Shutouts: 46
75. Save Percentage: .907
76. Point Shares: 132.4
91. Goals Against Average: 2.72

These rankings are up to the end of the 2024-25 Season.