Newsday: Goalie Evgeni Nabokov, 37, enjoying playoff chase with Islanders

[CREW99AW]

Nabby's proving to be a big leader on the ice and in the locker room. He's 37. If he demands a 2 yr extension, do we want him signed that long?

http://www.newsday.com/sports/hocke...788?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Goalie Evgeni Nabokov, 37, enjoying playoff chase with Islanders
Evgeni Nabokov stops pucks for a living and deflects questions about his age as a hobby. He knows the questions are coming, so the oldest Islander at 37 is fully and playfully prepared. When the inevitable was asked after Monday's practice at Nassau Coliseum, he tried to turn the age-old question on teammate Lubomir Visnovsky, who is four months shy of 37. They both had a hearty laugh.


"Talking as a goalie, maybe it's easier than being a player at 37," he said. "But I think if you take care of your body and you try to stay in shape and you enjoy it."

 

[MatthewBarnabysTears]

Nabby's proving to be a big leader on the ice and in the locker room. He's 37. If he demands a 2 yr extension, do we want him signed that long?

http://www.newsday.com/sports/hocke...788?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Goalie Evgeni Nabokov, 37, enjoying playoff chase with Islanders
Evgeni Nabokov stops pucks for a living and deflects questions about his age as a hobby. He knows the questions are coming, so the oldest Islander at 37 is fully and playfully prepared. When the inevitable was asked after Monday's practice at Nassau Coliseum, he tried to turn the age-old question on teammate Lubomir Visnovsky, who is four months shy of 37. They both had a hearty laugh.


"Talking as a goalie, maybe it's easier than being a player at 37," he said. "But I think if you take care of your body and you try to stay in shape and you enjoy it."

I'd be ok with 2 years if he was comfortable transitioning into a 1B and then a backup role. But can Snow take that risk? The last time we gave a 37 year old backup goalie a surprising multi-year deal it ended with him as the GM.

 

[duster19]

I'd be ok with 2 years if he was comfortable transitioning into a 1B and then a backup role. But can Snow take that risk? The last time we gave a 37 year old backup goalie a surprising multi-year deal it ended with him as the GM.

hahah. Im Ok with it, as long as Garth is going to bring in a legit time share goalie. We cant afford to have Nabby and Poulin...Nabby has been great of late, but struggled early in the year. Plus he is a 100 years old, he cant be expected to play 65 games then playoffs. Maybe Timmy will make a dramatic comeback

 

[PWJunior]

I think Nabby has been an excellent presence in the locker room in addition to his solid play. He speaks his mind and isn't afraid to call anyone out. His little thing with Fischler is pretty entertaining with them exchanging jabs at each other. I'd love to get him resigned for another season or two.

 

[steveat]

Give Nabby the C! His honesty offers a refreshing look into our team.

 

[SLAPSHOT723]

Crew you love to put ages on player names.

 

[The Underboss]

Good article!

 

[CREW99AW]

Crew you love to put ages on player names.

Well in this case, Newsday's headline put his age next to his name. I just copied and pasted.

 

[OlTimeHockey]

hahah. Im Ok with it, as long as Garth is going to bring in a legit time share goalie. We cant afford to have Nabby and Poulin...Nabby has been great of late, but struggled early in the year. Plus he is a 100 years old, he cant be expected to play 65 games then playoffs. Maybe Timmy will make a dramatic comeback

so we'll have a 101 year goalie?

Nabby sucked this year all the way to the playoffs with a team playing horribly and yet we've pulled it together and are now saying we did it in spite of our second best player.

Got it.

I'll have a drink.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

I think Nabby has been an excellent presence in the locker room in.

Don't mean to single you out but how do we know this??

Based on what he says in interviews? C'mon...

 

[Doshell Propivo]

so we'll have a 101 year goalie?

Nabby sucked this year all the way to the playoffs with a team playing horribly and yet we've pulled it together and are now saying we did it in spite of our second best player.

Got it.

I'll have a drink.

The Isles would be a cup contender with a better goalie...

 

[CREW99AW]

Don't mean to single you out but how do we know this??

Based on what he says in interviews? C'mon...

No. Based on the comments from inexperienced teammates, who've given him props for how he's played, the advice he's given and how he's handled the pressure during this fight for a playoff spot.

 

[bigd]

Give Nabby the C! His honesty offers a refreshing look into our team.

 

[OlTimeHockey]

Leaders don't need the "C". The more leaders you have, the better. So....Why bother?

Besides, Nabby staying in net concentrating while the other guys are talking to refs, someone ELSE wearing the "C" and having that pressure on them makes for a better goalie.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

Nabby sucked this year all the way to the playoffs with a team playing horribly and yet we've pulled it together and are now saying we did it in spite of our second best player.

I don't think anyone is saying that. The comment made was in regards to next season.

I think it's a legitimate concern going forward. Nabby has been great this season, but looking at it objectively, you have to be concerned that a player of advancing age won't be able to handle a full work load next year or the year after.

 

[islesfan186]

Nabby is a class act. While statistically this year hasn't been his best, he's been good enough to get the isles this far (obviously it's a team effort, not just his). With that being said I would love to have Nabby re-sign, but I would also like snow to go and get Jonathan Bernier from LA. He doesn't want to be in Quicks shadow anymore, and Bernier would have a chance to legitimately be a starter here. Give Poulin and Nilsson time to develop and "over-ripen" (a la detroits mindset)

 

[stranger34]

I'd like the extension done ASAP

 

[CREW99AW]

It's gonna be a crowded goalie market.

Miller, Bernier, Neuvirth, Khabibulin, Nabby, Loungo, Khudobin, Smith, Howard and Tim Thomas could all either be ufas or shopped by their teams.

Tim Thomas' agent said Thomas wants to play in 2013-2014 because he hopes to be picked for the US Olympic team. Isles hold his rights and could toll them, forcing TT to LI like they did Nabby. I think I'd rather just extend Nabby's deal, then bring back
39 yr old Thomas, trying to shake off the rust after taking a full yr off.

 

[A Pointed Stick]

It's gonna be a crowded goalie market.

Miller, Bernier, Neuvirth, Khabibulin, Nabby, Loungo, Khudobin, Smith, Howard and Tim Thomas could all either be ufas or shopped by their teams.

Tim Thomas' agent said Thomas wants to play in 2013-2014 because he hopes to be picked for the US Olympic team. Isles hold his rights and could toll them, forcing TT to LI like they did Nabby. I think I'd rather just extend Nabby's deal, then bring back
39 yr old Thomas, trying to shake off the rust after taking a full yr off.

I want nothing to do with Smith.

 

[LetsGoIslanders]

From another board, it seems as if Nilsson is struggling with a blood disorder where his body isn't absorbing vitamins properly and he is ill constantly. Which is why DiPi gets pretty much every start in Bridgeport. Nilsson already has an allergy to to gluten. I don't think Poulin is really cut out to start next season, if ever. I think re-signing Nabokov is the best option at this point, no matter what the price. The Isles will need to draft or trade for goaltenders in the draft.

 

[Marlo Stanfield]

It's gonna be a crowded goalie market.

Miller, Bernier, Neuvirth, Khabibulin, Nabby, Loungo, Khudobin, Smith, Howard and Tim Thomas could all either be ufas or shopped by their teams.

I'd really like Neuvirth or Khudobin paired with Nabokov. Miller is a pipe dream and Bernier is too expensive. Luongo would be awesome if he gets bought out and wants a chance to be the unquestioned #1

 

[ScaredStreit]

Honestly I don't see us having a better option for next year (and possibly the following). I'd be ok with a 2-year deal. Beggers can't be chosers. And he has played pretty well this year-not great, but he's been solid. Hasn't really lost us a lot of games or let in a lot of soft goals. So why not? There's no point in having tons of cap space if you never intend to use it. There's none whatsoever. So when we do use it-we might as well use it on players who will improve this team-and let's face it losing Nabby next year would be a pretty big regression.

 

[MattMartin]

so we'll have a 101 year goalie?

Nabby sucked this year all the way to the playoffs with a team playing horribly and yet we've pulled it together and are now saying we did it in spite of our second best player.

Got it.

I'll have a drink.

I'll have what your having also.
This is one of the posters from the "Nabby is so overrated thread"
Funny I have not seen anyone posting the SV% since it's gone up nor the GAA since It's gone down. The "soft goals" he allows has also taken a hit. In hindsight all of the Nabby haters have crawled back in their holes....for now.

 

[TROLLCHUK]

I'd really like Neuvirth or Khudobin paired with Nabokov. Miller is a pipe dream and Bernier is too expensive. Luongo would be awesome if he gets bought out and wants a chance to be the unquestioned #1

I think we are one of the few teams who could afford Bernier in terms of prospects and need. Offer them our 1st and one or two B prospects. I would think they consider it. Plus we are at that point with too many prospects and will need to use them as currency at some point.

 

[Disgraced Cosmonaut]

I think we are one of the few teams who could afford Bernier in terms of prospects and need. Offer them our 1st and one or two B prospects. I would think they consider it. Plus we are at that point with too many prospects and will need to use them as currency at some point.

i'm surprised no one wants to give poulin or koskinen a chance to back up nabakov. most goalies don't enter the league as a #1. they grow into it. next year, one of those 2 could play 25 to 30 games and learn plenty to make it worth their while. but i'd be happy with quick or bernier.