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Report: Islanders contract not “imminent” for Nabokov

Los Angeles Kings v New York Islanders

UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 11: Evgeni Nabokov #20 of the New York Islanders in action against the Los Angeles Kings on February 11, 2012 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Kings 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

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TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that New York Islanders GM Garth Snow and Evgeni Nabokov’s agent have been discussing a new contract - and “will talk again.” That being said, McKenzie also stated that “no new deal is imminent.”

As great as the former San Jose Sharks netminder has been in Long Island, it’s tough to deny his climbing value on the trade market - which only grew after Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson suffered a strange self-inflicted injury.

Nabokov is already 36 years old and will turn 37 in July - the same month he’ll sign his next contract unless the Isles/some other team extends him first. There’s no doubt that the Isles have some question marks in net, but with a 0.6 percent chance of making the postseason, Snow should be looking to the future.

There’s nothing wrong with going short-term, but Nabby’s greatest value might be in how much he can yield in a trade with a contender desperate to improve in net.

Either way, let there be no doubt that last season’s waiver claim was another shrewd move by Snow, who has actually made a lot of clever under-the-radar decisions that have been overshadowed by his biggest blunder with a different goalie contract. The most surprising thing is that the move paid off even considering all the headaches that came with Nabokov’s theatrics last season.