This is something I have been thinking about. I'm tired of waiting! I want to see which goalies will play for Philly this year.
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| Sharks to let Nabokov Walk http://www.sabresjunkie.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3598 |
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| Author: | CriminallyVu1gar [ Wed Jun 23, 2010 1:41 am ] |
| Post subject: | Sharks to let Nabokov Walk |
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=5316670 SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The San Jose Sharks will not offer goaltender Evgeni Nabokov a contract when he becomes an unrestricted free agent next week, cutting ties with one of the franchise's cornerstone players. Nabokov Nabokov General manager Doug Wilson announced the decision Tuesday in a pre-draft news conference, shortly after delivering the news personally to Nabokov. "He's been outstanding for this organization, a big part of our successes," Wilson said. "I have great respect for him as a player, as a man and a teammate." Nabokov said at the end of the season that he would like to remain in San Jose but noted that it was not his decision entirely. Nabokov made $6 million last year in the final season of his five-year contract. Wilson noted a direction in the NHL in which teams have had great success with lower-paid goaltenders, most recently with the Chicago Blackhawks winning the Stanley Cup with Antti Niemi, who made $827,000 this season. "If you look at the trends in this league the last four or five years in particular and the dollars that are dedicated to that position," he said. "If you're dedicating $5 or $6 million, that's coming out of somewhere else." Nabokov has been one of the top goalies in the league the past few years, winning an NHL-best 131 games over the past three seasons. He has a 293-215-29 record in 10 seasons with the Sharks, with a 2.39 goals-against average. Nabokov went 44-26 with a 2.43 GAA last season, helping the Sharks reach the Western Conference finals this year, where they were swept by Chicago. The Sharks will give a chance to backup Thomas Greiss, who started 11 games this season and also played for Germany in the Olympics, as well as minor league goalie Alex Stalock, who won 39 games and had a 2.63 GAA with AHL Worcester. Wilson said the team would also look to add a veteran goalie either through a trade or free agency to pair with one of the younger goalies. Among the goalies eligible to become unrestricted free agents are the Dallas Stars' Marty Turco, St. Louis Blues' Chris Mason, Philadelphia Flyers' Michael Leighton and Washington Capitals' Jose Theodore. "The goaltending market is very deep," Wilson said. "There's lots of goalies that are out there that you can supplement or build a tandem with what you have. Make no mistake, we're very pleased with the goaltenders we have in our system and they'll be given an opportunity." With a decision made not to try to retain Nabokov, the focus for the Sharks turns to the other unrestricted free agents, most notably leading goal-scorer Patrick Marleau. The decision to let Nabokov leave could free up more money for Marleau if necessary. Forwards Scott Nichol and Manny Malhotra and defenseman Niclas Wallin are also among the unrestricted free agents the Sharks want to keep. Wilson is also looking to lock up restricted free agents Joe Pavelski and Devin Setoguchi. "I would like to get all the pieces done prior to the draft," Wilson said. "That would be my home run." The Sharks will lose at least two key players from the team that reached the Western Conference finals, with captain Rob Blake announcing his retirement last week. But Wilson believes there is plenty of help coming through the system with some young players who can complement stars like Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley and Dan Boyle to maintain the Sharks' position as a perennial contender. "We think this team is going into a four- or five-year window," Wilson said. "Just look at the age of the team with Blakey not being back and Nabber not being back. We're a young team actually coming into its prime. Now I have to forecast the dedication of dollars going forward." |
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| Author: | GoSabres29 [ Wed Jun 23, 2010 1:45 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sharks to let Nabokov Walk |
Yes, I was just debating this with another friend. We were discussing where Nabby would go. We narrowed it down to TB, ATL, PHI, and even threw Washington into things...although unlikely. I think Tampa will get him. Stevie Y wants a good goaltender. Another crazy russian in Tampa? |
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| Author: | Rutledge222 [ Wed Jun 23, 2010 7:45 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sharks to let Nabokov Walk |
oh god... imagine if he was in Philly.... |
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| Author: | Los9090 [ Wed Jun 23, 2010 8:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sharks to let Nabokov Walk |
Damn, sounds like the Sharkies are having some cap issues. |
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| Author: | HelloMyKneeGrows [ Wed Jun 23, 2010 8:40 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sharks to let Nabokov Walk |
Rutledge222 wrote: oh god... imagine if he was in Philly.... I'd be willing to bet this all but a done deal at this point if Nabokov is willing to go to Philly. That team has been dying for a decent goalie since the days of Ron Hextall and Nabokov seems like he fits that bill. |
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| Author: | patkane88 [ Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:12 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sharks to let Nabokov Walk |
If nabakov goes to Philly it won't give Philly a great goalie but Nabakov is really inconsistent and that always seems to fit well with goaltenders they have had. |
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| Author: | Displaced Fan [ Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:24 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sharks to let Nabokov Walk |
This is something I have been thinking about. I'm tired of waiting! I want to see which goalies will play for Philly this year.
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| Author: | ironyisadeadscene [ Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:55 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sharks to let Nabokov Walk |
patkane88 wrote: If nabakov goes to Philly it won't give Philly a great goalie but Nabakov is really inconsistent and that always seems to fit well with goaltenders they have had. serious? nabby has his struggles, but he is a great goaltender. |
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| Author: | mechaphil [ Wed Jun 23, 2010 2:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sharks to let Nabokov Walk |
ironyisadeadscene wrote: patkane88 wrote: If nabakov goes to Philly it won't give Philly a great goalie but Nabakov is really inconsistent and that always seems to fit well with goaltenders they have had. serious? nabby has his struggles, but he is a great goaltender. In the regular season and that's it. |
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| Author: | Skyline_BNR34 [ Wed Jun 23, 2010 3:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sharks to let Nabokov Walk |
Well who will they get? Nabby is a great goalie, and he wasn't the main reason they lost in the playoffs. You had one guy determined to score this year for the Sharks team. |
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| Author: | ironyisadeadscene [ Wed Jun 23, 2010 3:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sharks to let Nabokov Walk |
mechaphil wrote: ironyisadeadscene wrote: patkane88 wrote: If nabakov goes to Philly it won't give Philly a great goalie but Nabakov is really inconsistent and that always seems to fit well with goaltenders they have had. serious? nabby has his struggles, but he is a great goaltender. In the regular season and that's it. yeah, but the same was said about hasek too... still, hes a great goalie. and i want him to stay out west. |
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| Author: | patkane88 [ Wed Jun 23, 2010 7:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sharks to let Nabokov Walk |
ironyisadeadscene wrote: patkane88 wrote: If nabakov goes to Philly it won't give Philly a great goalie but Nabakov is really inconsistent and that always seems to fit well with goaltenders they have had. serious? nabby has his struggles, but he is a great goaltender. I am serious and I know where you are coming from. Nabby is good but look at his playoff career, he's never gotten by the third round same can also be said about Luongo. |
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