BENSENVILLE, Ill. (AP) Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin is expected to start the regular season with the Chicago Blackhawks.
The 35-year-old Khabibulin had seemed destined to be sent to the minors, traded or opt to play in his native Russia by the time the Blackhawks open their regular season Friday night in New York against the Rangers.
But on Tuesday, Khabibulin was on Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon's final roster heading into the regular season.
NHL teams must submit rosters to the league by 3 p.m. EDT Wednesday.
The goalie, who did not appear in any of Chicago's eight preseason games, is entering the final year of a four-year contract that is set to pay him $6.75 million this season.