One of the names thats been tossed about as the NHL trade deadline approaches is current Islander and former Shark Evgeni Nabokov. The goaltender has been impressive lately, winning eight of his last 11 starts, while playing for a team that is once again going to miss out on the playoffs.
Chris Botta of the New York Times is reporting that the Islanders are offering Nabokov the option of a one or two-year contract extension to stay with the club, though, so teams that may have been interested (Chicago?) may soon have to cross Nabokovs name off of their list. Nabokov is, at present, set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year.
In seven of his last 11 starts, Nabokov has allowed one goal or less, including a pair of shutouts. In 30 games this season, hes 14-14-0 and is in the top-10 in the NHL in goals-against average (2.24, 10th) and save percentage (.925 - eighth).
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The Islanders (25-26-8) are in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, six points out of a playoff spot.