Goaltender Evgeni Nabokov has been claimed off waivers by the New York Islanders.
Nabokov was signed by the Detroit Red Wings to a one-year deal on Thursday. Because he started the season in Russia, he had to be placed on waivers on Friday before he could join the Red Wings.
The Islanders already have three goalies on the roster. Rick DiPietro is currently ill and Nathan Lawson left Friday night's game with a knee injury. Kevin Poulin finished in net.
Nabokov was not expected to clear waivers, as his $570,000 salary and lack of performance-based bonuses was not enough to prevent other NHL teams from being interested in him.
With Nabokov lost, the Red Wings will likely call Joey MacDonald back to Detroit to back up Jimmy Howard. Jordan Pearce will back up Howard in Saturday's matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks. Chris Osgood is expected to return from sports hernia surgery in mid-March.
I really doubt he'll clear. 
I hate re-entry waivers. It's stupid!
Technically, this is standard waivers, not re-entry. Either way, it's weird.
The rumor now is that New Jersey (who has first waiver priority) will claim Nabokov and then deal him back to Detroit. In the meantime, Joey MacDonald has been sent back down to GR and Jordan Pearce has been called up to back up Jimmy Howard against Chicago tomorrow.
That would be nice... but what does NJ get out of the deal?
Apparently not enough, as the Devils have announced they're not claiming Nabokov. Same for Washington. Two down, 27 to go.
27 teams? I think not. Do all have the cap space? Not all have a need for a goaler. Even if some see the opportunity to hurt Detroit, the no-move clause is just as likely to hurt them. I'm giving it 50-50 right now. A weak position to take but it's better now that NJ and D.C. passed.
This may be a dumb question, but do they put a time limit on how long each team gets to decide? Or do they get to take their time?
Waivers are for 24 hours, noon to noon. So we find out in about 13 hours.
Well, since I'm going to the game today. I wonder who may be wearing the first Nabster sweater (if he is signed)?
What team will bone the Wings? I wonder if the Sharks would seeing as they just put a Goalie on IR.
I'd originally said the Hurricanes were my favorite to make the claim but with the Isles goalie troubles I say he ends up there before Carolina gets a chance to get him.
The only way he ends up in Detroit is if his agent has been secretly telling every other team "Look, he wants to play in Detroit, if you claim him he won't report." And I don't think that's happening.
And since you could see that coming a mile away, why did Ken Holland take the time? "Worth a shot" isn't how he usually operates.
Islanders are filthy. Like anyone wants to play there 
As proven by Nabokov, who says he won't report to Long Island.
Why would he? He didn't sign a contract with them.
Isles have 2 choices: Suspend him and basically leave him alone or put him on waivers. By dealing him away, he would have to clear waivers again, so no matter what happens, they're screwed. I hope they waive him again. Maybe other teams will realize that he only wants to play in Detroit. He wants to play for a team where he has a chance to win the cup.
This may be another dumb question, but this topic intrigues me cause I haven't paid any attention to situations like this before, but what are the purpose of waivers? I understand the off season waiver stuff a little bit, but what is the point of this when Nabokov obviously wants to play with Detroit? Is it to give the other teams a fair chance? And it appears as though no one had an interest in him before, it just doesn't seem very fair. Or is there something else behind this whole waiver thing?
ed;
I guess the gist of what I'm asking is is this only around to make it "fair" for the other teams? Because it doesn't seem fair in this case and I'd like to know more about it.
The rule about players who started the season in Europe and then sign in the NHL (like Svatos, Wellwood and Nabokov) is to prevent teams from grabbing an elite Euro just for the postseason run. The Oilers did this in the 80s with Reijo Ruotsalainen. He played the light European schedule all year, then came over at the end of the NHL season well-rested and ready to go for the playoffs.
That puts everything in a different light now, thank you! How long do the Islanders have to decide what to do with Nabokov?
Disappointing. I wanted to see him either win in Detroit, or help get New Jersey into the playoffs. I still think the Devils can make the playoffs this year, as much of a long shot that may be. I won't be worried about their playoff chances unless they hit another slump.
How long do the Islanders have to decide what to do with Nabokov?
As long as they want. The thought is out there that they'll have him next year if he doesn't report this year.
The Islanders suspended him as of this morning for failure to report.
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