Veteran goaltender Evgeni Nabokov has been claimed on waivers by the New York Islanders one day after signing a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings.
Nabokov began this season playing in the Kontinental Hockey League but had been seeking a return to the NHL since being released from his contract with SKA St. Petersburg in December. The Red Wings signed him to a one-year deal reportedly worth a pro-rated portion of $570,000, but he had to pass through waivers to join Detroit because he began the season in Europe.
The Islanders have carried three goaltenders of late, but rookie Nathan Lawson left the game Friday with a left knee injury. They also have rookie Kevin Poulin, who is 2-1-1 in six appearances, and veteran Rick DiPietro.
The Wings were also looking for goaltending help. Starter Jimmy Howard returned Thursday after missing six days with a bruised knee, and backup Chris Osgood is expected to miss at least six weeks after undergoing sports hernia surgery.
Joey MacDonald, the starter with the Wings' AHL team in Grand Rapids, played while Howard and Osgood were out and backed up Howard on Thursday night. Rookie Thomas McCollum, who had backed up MacDonald, is also out with a broken finger.
Nabokov, a native of Kazakhstan, was considered one of the top goaltenders on the free agent market after finishing last season with a 44-16-10 record, 2.43 goals-against average and three shutouts for San Jose.
Sources tell TSN that the Detroit Red Wings are in discussions with veteran goaltender Evgeni Nabokov and it's believed the two sides are close to finalizing a deal.
Nabokov has been a free agent since December when he was released from his contract with Russian club SKA St. Petersburg. He was in the first year of a four-year deal that he signed in the off-season with the KHL club after 10 years with the San Jose Sharks.
In his final season with the Sharks, Nabokov posted a 44-16-10 record with a 2.43 GAA and led the Sharks to the Western Conference final where they were eliminated by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Nabokov will have to clear waivers if he signs with Detroit in order to get back into the NHL.
Hmmmm, could be really good for Red Wings.
Last edited by MiamiScreamingEagles: 01-22-2011 at 11:46 AM.
Only way I could see it happening is if they gave him some bizarre contract no one would want... but then the Red Wings would (theoretically) not want it either.
Only way I could see it happening is if they gave him some bizarre contract no one would want... but then the Red Wings would (theoretically) not want it either.
With all their injuries, can they us LTI money to offer him some huge amount for the rest of the year so that it would be stupid for anyone to try and claim him >?
So, assuming the price/term isn't high and we can make the salary work...would we want to claim Nabokov?
If it could be for the rest of this year, I'd have to at least consider it. Nabby can play, and behind our defense he would certainly shore things up. But I still don't know if I'd want him or not.
I don't know if I would want the Flyers to try and grab him on waivers, but considering he was one of Homers first options in the offseason, I don't see why he wouldn't try.
If it is a multi year deal, that shouldn't scare the Flyers since Boucher is UFA next year.
Since the Flyers have cap space, why not throw a claim in and ride with three goalies until another move is made? Or just claim him and send down Bob. Boucher is playing great now and Nabby surely can't hurt (and if he does, send him down and let someone else claim him and then recall Bob). Nothing against Bob, he's been having a Calder Trophy type season, but if Boosh continues to play as well as he has been then Bob sitting on the bench is doing no one any good.
With all their injuries, can they us LTI money to offer him some huge amount for the rest of the year so that it would be stupid for anyone to try and claim him >?
A huge chunk of that money is Pavel Datsyuk, who should be back in a few weeks. Once he comes back, they'd be stuck. They can't use that money without shooting themselves in the foot.
