In a deal that is sure to shock everyone in Hockey Town and the hockey world, it appears as though Evgeni Nabokov is close to signing a deal with the Detroit Red Wings.
Nabokov, the former San Jose Shark, became a free agent after the Sharks decided not to offer him a new contract. Seeking more money than any NHL team was willing to commit for a goaltender, Nabokov left the NHL to head back to his native Russia, signing a deal to play with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL.
In Russia, Nabokov suffered a fate all too familiar to his playoff appearances with the Sharks. His stats were nothing remarkable, his play mediocre at best, and he was eventually released in December, 2010. It was noted that his release was a mutual agreement with management and rumors suggest it may have had something to do with his family not being able to adjust to the new living situation.
The Red Wings would greatly benefit from the signing, as their injury troubles continue. Chris Osgood is out at least six weeks after having surgery to repair a sports hernia, and Jimmy Howard was recently hurt after taking a shot off the knee. Even Grand Rapids Griffins goalie Thomas McCollum injured a finger after being called up by the Wings. Howard is expected back tonight against the Blues, but signing Nabokov would provide great insurance in case of future injury.
In order to join the Red Wings, and the NHL, Nabokov must first clear waivers.
I read this on NHL.com a few hours ago. Did he go through contract arbitration last summer? I can’t recall if he did but can the wings offer to pay him what ever they want or are the bound to some arbitration agreement?
I believe Nabokov signed in Russia last summer as an unrestricted free agent. I don’t think the Sharks wanted to or could pony up the cash to pay Nabokov and still sign some of their other potential UFA’s.
That being said, I think this would be a great signing if the Wings can make it happen. Detroit is a professional organization that has a knack for bringing out the best in players that were disregarded in other markets (Eaves, Miller and Cleary for instance…). I still believe that Howard will be the guy that starts Round 1 of the playoffs, but Nabokov gives the team a good goalie who can step in and ease the load for Howard in the run up to the playoffs. It will be interesting to see what the Wings offer him to help keep other teams from claiming him off waivers.
I agree that this would be a great pick up. The only problem is that I don’t see him passing through waivers. There are too many goalies that would love to have this guy and at the bargain basement deal that he apparently signed many teams would be fools not to take him. I feel for the Blues who tried signing two players just to have the Preds and Yotes swipe the player before it got to them.
Its funny to me that the deal has to be in place before they enter waivers. I’m sure players agree to earn less in the contract if they get to play on great teams and compete for Stanley cups than if they are playing for a rebuilding team that has no shot at this years playoffs. You have to let the team that did the leg work be rewarded. If Nabokov wants to play for Detroit but is claimed by Edmonton he should have a say if he is willing to report to that club and at what price.
[…] Detroit Red Wings already made a pitch at a goalie when they signed Evgeni Nabokov a few weeks ago, but were thwarted when the Islanders grabbed Nabokov off the waiver wire. Starting goaltender […]