Nikolai Khabibulin

Author's Note: This is part of a five-part series detailing players who dazzled with their play and presence while lacing up the skates for the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Some are currently on the roster, while others play elsewhere or have retired.  Dave Andreychuk, Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier, and Steven Stamkos are also covered in the series.

Being a Tampa Bay Lightning fan is not the easiest task in the world right now. 

The Edmonton Oilers are very similar to the Toronto Maple Leafs. They both enjoy very notable histories in the NHL and have each won their share of Stanley Cups. 

In recent years, while both teams have been less than stellar in the league standings, Edmonton lost its similarity with the Original Six Leafs in that they have clung to the deep bottom of the NHL's basement. 

According to the Winnipeg Free Press and TSN, the Phoenix Coyotes deal has finally reached the point of involving Winnipeg as the possible relocation and return to Winnipeg.

With the deal with potential Coyotes Matthew Hulsizer apparently falling through after he took his concessions off the table, the potential ownership group of True North Sports and Entertainment is poised to unveil a season ticket drive in Winnipeg.

European players, especially over the last few decades, have had a significant impact on the game of hockey.

Although the game of hockey is filled with Americans and Canadians, 30 percent of the NHL's players come from outside North America.

Some of the league's greatest players have come from across the pond. Nicklas Lidstrom, Jaromir Jagr and company has certainly paved the way for future European hockey players.

Here are the best European born players to ever play in the NHL. 

The Edmonton Oilers traded away their leading goal scorer in Dustin Penner at the NHL Trade Deadline this past week.  The Oilers are handing the reigns of the team over to its young gun, and this week will be a big test. 

Edmonton plays four games on the road this scoring period against some of the best teams in the NHL.  First, it’s back-to-back games against the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals.  The Oilers then close out the week against the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Chicago Blackhawks always seem to have an issue in net, whether it was the 2009 season of Nikolai Khabibulin and his injury during the Western Conference Finals, or the juggling of Cristobal Huet and Antti Niemi last season.

Now coming into the 2010-2011 season, things were supposed to be a lot less complicated than seasons prior. 

The NHL's trade deadline falls on February 28 this season, and it may be one of the most busiest ones we've seen yet because of the amount of goalies that may be moved.

Numerous teams, most notably the Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning, have already been picked as possible landing locations for goalies at the deadline.

The following slideshow compiles the 10 goalies that may be parting ways with their current teams for a variety of reasons.

Fast Fact: Over the last three years, nine goaltenders have been dealt on the trade deadline

Whether the Chicago Blackhawks are sailing on the wave of a winning streak or struggling as they have been of late, fans have many facets of the game with which to banter around the water cooler or bar.  The conversation can weave around new faces, injuries, leadership, scoring, defense, heart, complacency, or even the schedule. 

In the Windy City, the talk is eventually going to focus between the pipes.

The 2010-2011 NHL season is only two weeks old, but it's never too early to make assessments and draw conclusions on the goalies' performances thus far.

Which goaltender will reign above the rest at the end of the 2010-2011 NHL season? Will the strongest between the pipes be able to bring home a Stanley Cup to his team, or possibly a Vezina Trophy?

Simply put: You don't get the first overall draft pick by being really, really good.

So Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, and Magnus Pjaarvi have a fair bit of work ahead of them.