Nabokov Agrees To 1 Year Extension With Islanders

Per Arthur Staple, Goaltender, Evgeni Nabokov has agreed to a 1-year, $2.75 M extension with the New York Islanders for the 2012-13 season.  Bob McKenzie reports the deal does NOT include a no movement or no trade clause.

 

From Islanders.nhl.com,

“I’m thrilled to commit to this team for next season,” Nabokov said. “We have a great group in the locker room of young, talented players and we’re heading in the right direction. I’m excited to have the chance to help get this team back to the playoffs.”
 

Nabokov, has a 17-18-3 record this season with a 2.56 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. The Kamenogorsk, KZ, native leads all Islanders goalies in games played, wins, goals against average and saves percentage. He is 11-7-3 in his last 21 games.


“Evgeni has proven that he can still play at an elite level in the NHL,” Islanders General Manager Garth Snow said. “He’s given us a chance to win every night and we’re excited to have him back for another season.”

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Nabokov has been solid for the Islanders after a terrible start to their partnership.  Last season, he refused to play for New York after being claimed off the waiver wire.  Nabokov intended to sign with Detroit, and refused to report last season because, I am paraphrasing here, the Islanders were not in a position where he would be off any use to them.



Obviously he has been treated well and enjoys playing on Long Island.  Nabokov  would have most certainly been one of the most valuable and attractive goaltenders available in the free agent market this summer.  

Say what you want about the respect given to the Isles by outsiders, this is another big statement made about the quality of the organization and its management.