Evgeni Nabokov could be back on Islanders’ radar

The last stretch of the Islanders’ season isn’t just for evaluating the young players who have been rotating through the lineup.

Evgeni Nabokov, for example, isn’t signed for next season. He’s had two injuries, including a groin problem that cost him a month and left the Isles hanging during their ugly November and December.

But he showed on Sunday a little bit of why the Islanders might be interested in a fourth season employing the 38-year-old in a backup role next season.

Most obvious were the 41 saves in a 2-0 win over the Blue Jackets, including 33 in the final two periods. Nabokov has lamented not making the key save at key times. His .912 even-strength save percentage ranks ahead of only the Devils’ Cory Schneider and Martin Brodeur among NHL goaltenders who start a majority of their team’s games.

“I thought we were a little better in our zone,” Nabokov said of his teammates, who packed the slot and were more alert in clearing rebounds than they have been in most of their games this season.

There also is his demeanor. He’s serious during games — any fan at the Coliseum wondering who’s screaming “Out! Out!” when the puck is in the Islanders’ zone need only look to the crease — and less than serious afterward. When asked on the ice by MSG Network if he ever envisioned 57 career shutouts, Nabokov deadpanned, “I’m retiring now?”

http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/after-shutout-on-sunday-evgeni-nabokov-could-be-back-on-islanders-radar-1.7491554


One Response to Evgeni Nabokov could be back on Islanders’ radar

  1. kessel_leafs81 says:

    eklund is reporting (i know i know), that isles have interest in both big buff AND kane from winnipeg? Wow that be crazy if they worked a deal out for both players. Makes it sound like Islanders are feeling comfortable they are going to have the financing background stable enough to dish for high quality players tho, thats nice to see at least. Just for fun tho, would winnipeg want high quality prospects back.. nhl ready players now? Certainly cant be asking for goaltending back from NYI, maybe a mixture? Just for fun Im going to take a wild shot(no idea value for both)

    To NYI: Evander Kane, Big buff

    To Win: Strome, Reinhart, cammartta, collberg, 1st (8th overal as it stands now)

    Total revamp of prospects. Thats high value prospects but alot of NYI are High Risk High Reward prospects so risky for WIN too. Or Mixture:

    To NYI: Kane, Buff

    To WIN: Okposo, clutterbuck, strome, 2nd

    Kane brings alot to the table and okposo has had a big year in NYI so i judged them to be almost equal.. I havent watched too many games of either team cause there not very exciting tbh especially without tavares but fun to speculate.

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