Nabokov set to return to NHL for 2011-12
It’s been a bumpy road for Evgeni Nabokov of late.
Nabokov finished second in the NHL in wins with 44 with the San Jose Sharks in a career year in 2009-10, finishing tied for fourth in Vezina Trophy voting.
He struggled in the postseason, however, leading the Sharks to turn to Antti Niemi and Antero Niittymaki in goal and Nabokov to hit free agency as one of many goalies available on July 1.
He didn’t find a taker and eventually signed a $24-million deal in Russia’s KHL. That didn’t last and by midseason, he was looking for a return to the NHL.
In January, Nabokov signed a bargain basement $570,000 deal with the Detroit Red Wings, hoping to re-establish himself and go on a playoff run. Because he had started the season overseas, however, he had to clear waivers.
And that’s where his time with the New York Islanders began.
After I posted the goaltending situations for all 30 NHL teams yesterday, I received a lot of questions regarding Nabokov’s status this year after he initially refused to play for the Islanders last season.
In May, Nabokov’s agent Don Meehan told the local press that he would be at training camp in the fall.
Today, Meehan confirmed that Nabokov will stick things out in the NHL this season, playing a full year on the $570,000 contract he had intended to last only a few months in Detroit.
There won’t be anymore trips to the KHL – or anywhere else for that matter.
“He will be in the NHL this season,” Meehan said.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/globe-on-hockey/nabokov-set-to-return-to-nhl-for-2011-12/article2106410 /