Position: Goaltender
Height: 6'0"Weight: 200 lbs
Birthdate: July 25th, 1975 (36 years old)
Birthplace: Kamenogorsk, USSR (Kazakhstan)
Acquired: Claimed off waivers, 2011
2010-2011 Team: New York Islanders (DNP)/St. Petersburg (KHL)
2010-2011 Stats (STP): 22 GP - 8 W - 8 L - 3.02 GAA - .888 SV PCT
2011-2012 Team: New York Islanders
Team Role: Unknown as of this point, rotating with 3 goalies
Last year: Nabokov, after receiving no offers to his liking in the NHL, decided to play for St. Petersburg of the KHL. However, he performed very on a very subpar level, and soon decided to come back into the NHL. He was signed to a 1 year deal by the Detroit Red Wings, but he needed to go through waivers in first in order to play, leaving him susceptible to being claimed by any team. The Islanders were the lowest ranked team at the moment to put in a claim for him which meant they had priority, and claimed Nabokov off waivers. However, after his agent had stated Nabokov would play for whoever claimed him, Nabokov refused to report to Long Island. His contract was tolled by the Islanders, which leaves him with a year long contract for this year.
Expectations: Nabokov has been training on Long Island and still should have another year left in the tank if not more, so if the Islanders decide to hang on to him we could be in for a treat. Not long ago in the 09-10 season, Nabokov was absolutely lights out in the regular season, and could be again for the Islanders if he's chosen as the starter. We know the capability he has, but after gaining some rust and playing on a lesser level, it's worried some fans that he will not be able to compete on the level he used to be on. The only way to tell at this point is how he plays in the rest of pre-season. The most likely scenario at this point is that he rotates games with Rick DiPietro and Al Montoya.
Projections: 29 GP - 17 W - 12 L - 2.53 GAA - .910 SV PCT
Thoughts:
AT: We know the kind of goalie that Nabokov is, but after a pisspoor season in Russia, a terrible WCs and generally not playing as much as he should've been, you have to wonder how much rust is on Nabokov. If he proves that he can perform at his prior level however, he should be our #1 goalie. There is no question in my mind that he is a bonafide #1 who can lead this team back to the playoffs. If he's healthy and if he's back in form, DiPietro should take a seat. Whether that would actually happen is very questionable, but we may have a route back to the playoffs here. If they're seeking to return this franchise to greatness, that would be the way to do it.
CH: Personally, I am very excited to see Nabokov suit up for the Islanders this year. With the uncertainty surrounding an inconsistent Rick DiPietro and an unproven Al Montoya, Nabokov has an opportunity to come in and prove that he is the same goaltender that won 40 games a season for the San Jose Sharks in the last decade. Yes, he had a poor season and yes, the relationship with the fans is not terribly strong at this time - but Nabokov may very well prove to be the team's best option in net. The Isles would be best suited to keep him around this season, because they are a more competitive team with three options in net as opposed to two. The goaltending situation is certainly a very interesting one, but at the very least is a good problem to have.
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