In a Surprise, Russia Picks Khabibulin

Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin, who sat out nearly two NHL seasons because of a contract dispute, surprisingly was among the first eight players named to the Russian Olympic team Thursday for the Salt Lake City Winter Games.

Equally surprising, Detroit Red Wing forward Sergei Fedorov was not on the list. One executive of the Russian Hockey Federation said Fedorov will play in the Olympics but wanted to let other players have the honor of being named first. Another said Fedorov declined to commit so early and left open the possibility that Fedorov might not play.

Alexander Steblin, president of the Russian Hockey Federation, said Fedorov agreed to play, but Coach Boris Mikhailov said Fedorov and Dallas Star defenseman Sergei Zubov gave no answer and asked for more time.

“But in all my talks with Russian players over the past month, I have not once heard the word ‘no’ from one of them,” Mikhailov said.

Khabibulin resumed working out last Sunday after signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning, which had acquired him from the Phoenix Coyotes before the NHL trade deadline. Although he has time to get in shape, it might be difficult for him to regain his old, world-class form. But Russia has few options in choosing its goalies. Evgeni Nabokov of the San Jose Sharks wanted to represent Russia but was prohibited by the International Ice Hockey Federation because he’d played for Kazakhstan in international competition.

“[Khabibulin] is one of the best goalies in the world and the best Russian goalie right now,” Mikhailov said.

Oleg Tverdovsky of the Mighty Ducks, Darius Kasparaitis of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Dmitry Yushkevitch of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Sergei Gonchar were picked on defense. The forwards are NHL goal-scoring leader Pavel Bure of the Florida Panthers, Alexei Kovalev of the Penguins and Alexei Yashin of the Ottawa Senators.

Sweden announced its first players Wednesday, and Canada and Finland will name theirs today. The defending champion Czechs, whose picks were leaked several months ago, will make a formal announcement Sunday.

Canada will announce its selections Saturday at a Toronto restaurant owned by Wayne Gretzky, Team Canada’s personnel director. The certain picks are winger Paul Kariya of the Ducks, center Joe Sakic and defenseman Rob Blake of the Colorado Avalanche, goalie Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils, defenseman Chris Pronger of the St. Louis Blues and center Mario Lemieux of the Penguins.

The U.S. will announce its players Saturday during ABC’s weekly telecast. The probable picks are defenseman Brian Leetch of the New York Rangers and forwards Keith Tkachuk of St. Louis, Jeremy Roenick of Phoenix, Doug Weight of the Edmonton Oilers, Bill Guerin of the Boston Bruins and Tony Amonte of the Chicago Blackhawks.