News: Nabokov to request trade in September

The infamous (on Long Island, at least) Evgeni Nabokov's Russian agent has told Dmitry Chesnokov from Yahoo! Sports that he will attempt to have his client traded after training camp after he shows that he can still compete in the NHL. Last season, Nabokov refused to report to the Islanders after he and his agent both claimed he would play for whoever claimed him on waivers, and the Islanders tolled his contract.

AT: Can't say I'm surprised by this, and I don't think anyone else is either. We needed Nabokov last year with our plethora of goaltending problems such as the normal injuries to Rick DiPietro, Kevin Poulin's knee injury, Lawson's dreadful play and Koskinen being wholly unready for the NHL. However, with Montoya looking like a solid starter and DiPietro most likely being ready for camp and the season and giving it another shot (much to the chagrin of the fanbase), Nabokov's services are most likely not needed here. Clearly he does not want to play here and although many including myself wish he would, there is nothing you can do about it. If he doesn't want to play here, get back what you can for him.

While he will not fetch much on the market alone, he could be packaged in a deal for a defenseman, as Garth had been claiming he was attempting to try and trade for since the first day of free agency. This, IMO, is the best situation and one Garth should be looking for. Alone, he's not going to get more than a 5th or 6th round pick at very best considering his poor play in Russia and at the Worlds. It could be interesting to see what happens if DiPietro is not healthy. Perhaps with the notion that he could be the starting goalie for an up and coming team might entice him, although clearly a similar notion did not do much enticing with his decision to not report. Hopefully, Montoya proves as solid as he was last season, and we needn't worry about this.

P.S., apologies for my lack of activity on the blog recently. Went through a major change in college choices due to financial constraints and will now be back 24/7, as well as closer to LI for college.

CH: Ah, the infamous point-counterpoint argument right now. Personally, I think the Islanders should absolutely keep Nabokov this season. He is worth more to the team now than a mid-round draft pick, which I guarantee is all they would be able to get for him. With the uncertainty (to say the least) of Rick DiPietro and the NHL immaturity (in service time) of Al Montoya, the Islanders goaltending situation is a huge question mark - possibly the biggest going into next season. So why would the Islanders trade a former perennial All-Star, one that even if his playoff success is limited has the ability to lead this team through a productive regular season? The last thing the Islanders need is having to force Kevin Poulin, Mikko Koskinen, and Anders Nilsson into roles they cannot fill at this time.

I understand this is not the ideal situation for Evgeni Nabokov, and I understand that he insulted the organization as a whole last season. Move on, and start fresh. The chances that Nabokov can help this team are more than a mid-round pick ever playing a game in the NHL. He has no choice but to play for the Islanders unless he wants to lose another year of his career. If nothing else, he can showcase himself until the trade deadline before being sold to a team who needs goaltending. Or he could be part of a playoff push with the upstart Islanders. All I know is that Nabokov should be on Long Island this year, as he is a cheap, talented option who can provide a stopgap type role before some of the Isles top goaltending prospects are ready.