Flyers obtain rights for Nabokov

[Deleted]

From TSN.ca:

Could the Philadelphia Flyers have finally found the answer to their goaltending problems?

According to CSNPhilly.com, the Flyers have reached a verbal agreement with the San Jose Sharks to acquire the signing rights to goaltender Evgeni Nabokov. The Flyers would reportedly send the Sharks a seventh-round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft if they are able to sign Nabokov prior to July 1st when he is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.

Sharks' general manager Doug Wilson would not confirm the deal, however he told CSNPhilly that there were issues surrounding the negotiations that could take a few days to complete.

Flyers' general manager Paul Holmgren also refused to address the issue however he did tell CSNPhilly that he believed Nabokov was "a good goalie" but believed that the Russian netminder would likely wait to hit the market on July 1st.

In 71 games last season, the 34-year old Nabokov posted a .922 save percentage and a 2.43 goals against average. He would be a significant upgrade between the pipes for the Flyers who used seven different netminders last season.

[seventeen]

Another guy who chokes in the playoffs. Keep 'em coming Paul.

[Deleted]

I don't think he chokes. He's just overrated.

[roke]

Agreed Mattias. San Jose's one of those rinks where goaltender save percentages are inflated because of the shot-counting. Nabokov's probably a league average goaltender, who will be paid about the league average for starting goaltenders at best (which is still overpayment for a league average goaltender, market or not).

[seventeen]

Jun 27, 2010 10:21:18 GMT -5 @mattdhf said:

I don't think he chokes. He's just overrated.

Ok, but the final result for Philly is the same. Hopefully they'll sign him to a humongous contract that will require them to trade more of their good players.

[Deleted]

Jun 27, 2010 14:28:43 GMT -5 seventeen said:

Jun 27, 2010 10:21:18 GMT -5 @mattdhf said:

I don't think he chokes. He's just overrated.

Ok, but the final result for Philly is the same. Hopefully they'll sign him to a humongous contract that will require them to trade more of their good players.

Yeah, I know. Either way, Philadelphia still needs to actually find a way to get a game-breaking goaltender.

[CentreHice]

I heard on the Fan 590 that the Flyers have re-signed Leighton for 2 years for $3.1 million.

I don't think that's the smartest move....but who am I?

Most Flyers' fans (on HF) hope he's the backup. Many expected him to be GONE.

[franko]

they had to have at least someone signed [or is Boucher still in the mix?]

Emery is gone.

[seventeen]

I wouldn't be surprised to find that Leighton is exactly what Holmgren wants. A guy who can stand between the pipes (in a manner of speaking) and doesn't cost more than $2MM a year. Do they honestly think that it was the cast around Bernie Parent that won them two cups? Hard to reason it any other way.

[clear observer]

Jun 30, 2010 22:45:30 GMT -5 seventeen said:

I wouldn't be surprised to find that Leighton is exactly what Holmgren wants. A guy who can stand between the pipes (in a manner of speaking) and doesn't cost more than $2MM a year. Do they honestly think that it was the cast around Bernie Parent that won them two cups? Hard to reason it any other way.

Bernie cemented his legendary status in those two series (Boston '74/Buffalo '75)...he was phenomenal. During road-hockey games in those days kids would refer to a great save as a "BERNIE!"