The Sharks trade his rights to the Flyers. But Nabokov gets greedy and goes to Russia instead.
A couple months later, he comes back. His agent didn't explain clearly, I guess, that UFA status only applies to the summertime.
Nabokov doesn't clear waivers and is forced to play the bargain-basement contract he signed with the Wings... with the Islanders (who just traded Roli and lost their top two goalies to injury).
He refuses. So NOW (1/2 year later) he finally realizes the Islanders have him over the barrel. They own his rights. Had he just played out last year, he'd be a UFA right now. Now he has to play a full season for $570,000 for the Islanders and hope he plays well enough to be dealt at the trade deadline.
That's no sure thing either as I think the Islanders, with Nabby/ Streit/ Tavares/ Okposo/ Moulson/ Neilsen/ Grabner/ Bailey, may actually be in the playoff race next year.
Let's not forget the return of Yashin, who the Islanders still have a cap hit for (that huge buyout). Charles Wang is such a crazy guy.
Posted on Jul 24, 2011, 1:48 AM from IP address 68.144.162.85
