New York Islanders and Evgeni Nabokov Agree to One Year Extension

The New York Islanders and Evgeni Nabokov have agreed to a one year extension on his contract. 

Coming from a player who didn't even want to report last season to this team, it speaks volumes about the direction the Islanders are heading in. Especially in the last few weeks with some pretty heart breaking losses, apparently most fans have once again resigned to thinking the club is doomed forever yet again.

Thankfully it is not. Nabokov adds the stability in net that this club hasn't had in almost six years and it does wonders knowing your goalie is able to actually make the big stops needed to bail a young team out of their mistakes and allows them to play their game with one less thing to be worried about.

On the other hand, what does this spell for Al Montoya? While it seems logical that he may be put on the back burner to Nabby, it doesn't seem likely he will be traded. Looking at the goalie depth in the AHL it's very deep, but if one thing has been exemplified this season it is that Kevin Poulin still isn't ready for the NHL.  

He's had some fine play this season, but unfortunately his habit of giving up a goal on the first shot of the game just isn't acceptable. He is definitely the future, but still needs work, as is Anders Nilsson.

Montoya also can keep in mind that in all likelihood Rick DiPietro seems just about done. He barely played yet another season, and his play was yet again mediocre. It's just about time for RDP to hang up the skates if he doesn't feel like giving us yet another surprise last hoo-rah of mediocrity again.

Speaking of DiPietro, there were some rumors circulating earlier in the Nabokov talks that Evgeni would not give up game time for the return of RDP. Meaning in short, Nabokov wasn't going to agree to an extension if he had to sit out games just so that Rick could come back and take time away from him. We'll see how much water this holds but hopefully if this was the case it will remain true.

Nabokov signing to one year is nothing but testament of the progress this club has made. They were in the playoff picture for longer than just December and remained relative until recently. While this season may just about be at its end, look for big things next season.