In a time of uncertainty for San Jose Sharks goalies, the team decided to bring back the most familiar face they’ve ever had in net.
This time around, Evgeni Nabokov will help others stop pucks, rather than doing so directly. The Sharks hired him as their “goaltending development coach and special assignment scout” on Saturday, rounding out a day full of familiar faces joining various front offices.
Nabokov spent a decade with the Sharks organization, playing for San Jose from 1999-2000 to 2009-10. (Nabokov finished his career with the Tampa Bay Lightning last season after spending a few years with the New York Islanders.)
How much of a difference will Nabokov make in the performance of new No. 1 Martin Jones and returning backup Alex Stalock, not to mention netminders in the pipeline? That’s tough to say, but no one knows what it’s like to be the Sharks’ go-to guy quite like Nabokov does.
Here’s a little more about his role, via CSNBayArea.com’s Kevin Kurz.