The Tampa Bay Lightning have found their No. 2 goalie for next season, agreeing to terms with veteran netminder Evgeni Nabokov on a one-year deal.
The Lightning, who didn’t qualify last year’s backup -- RFA Anders Lindback, now with Dallas -- will go into next year with a proven NHLer behind No. 1 Ben Bishop, allowing young prospects Kristers Gudlevskis and Andrei Vasilevski to hone their craft in AHL Syracuse.
Nabokov, who turns 39 in July, spent last year on Long Island, where he posted a 15-14-8 record with a .905 save percentage and 2.74 GAA. Though his time with the Islanders was occasionally acrimonious, “Nabby” did provide enough quality goaltending to send New York to the playoffs in 2013, going 23-11-7 with a .910 save percentage and 2.50 GAA.
Per The Hockey News, Nabokov’s deal is for $1.55 million.