It was just a few days ago when it was announced that Evgeni Nabokov's KHL team, St. Petersburg, had mutually released him and already rumors of the former National Hockey League goalie are heating up.
Although it has been widely reported that not too many teams are interested in Nabokov, there is no doubt his impressive NHL statistics have and will continue to draw attention from more than one NHL team. With that, the question must be asked: where might the former Olympian land?
It's true; there are not many teams interested in his services, but of the teams who are, the Tampa Bay Lightning may be the most interested.
The Lightning currently sit 29th in the NHL when it comes to goals allowed, averaging 3.39 goals against per game. Though their offence has been keeping them in games, a team can only go so far with such poor defence and goaltending.
Nabokov could be their answer.
The 34-year-old has played in 563 NHL regular season games over ten seasons. During those ten seasons, Nabokov is 293-178-37, has a goals against average of 2.39 and a save percentage of .912. He has been named an All-Star on three occasions and was named to the 2000-2001 all-rookie team.
The only problem is that the Lightning currently have about $3.7 million locked up between goalies Mike Smith and Dan Ellis, both of whom have struggled this season.
Despite the Lightning's interest, the Washington Capitals could also be a possible contender for Nabokov, according to TheFourthPeriod.com.
Nabokov would add some experience to a currently inexperienced goaltending duo of Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth. However, the report states that the Capitals are set on sticking with Varlamov and Neuvirth, who are both playing outstanding this season.
The report also says that if Nabokov signs an NHL contract contract this year, he must first clear waivers.
Click here to follow Lukas on Twitter for up-to-date NHL rumors and news.
lukas@gacksports.com
Showing posts with label tampa bay lightning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tampa bay lightning. Show all posts
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Game Day- Tampa Bay Visit Toronto
The Lightning take their talent to Toronto to pay a visit to the struggling Leafs. Toronto's record this year is 8-11-3, and losers of two straight. The Lightning on the other hand are 13-8-3 after losing in a shootout to Atlanta on Saturday. In the only previous meeting of the season Tampa blanked the Leafs 4-0 at the St. Pete Times Forum.
The Leafs are coming off a shutout to the Senators and have only scored one goal in their last two games. They have however won three straight at home and have scored twelve goals in those games. The Lightning have lost two straight on the road with a combined total of eight goals allowed in those games.
Starting Goalies (Expected): GP W L OTL SO GAA SV%
Jonas Gustavsson 11 3 6 1 0 2.45 .917
Dan Ellis 14 5 4 3 2 2.85 .895
I expect a very fast paced game as both teams are known for their quickness. Steven Stamkos hasn't scored in two games, but expect him to pick up a goal or two in Toronto. The Lightning's main concern has to be Mikhael Grabvoski who always has a knack to pick up points against the Bolts.
Predictions:5-3 Lightning
Three Stars:
1. Steven Stamkos- 2 goals 1 assist
2. Nikolai Kulemin- 1 goal 1 assist
3. Martin St. Louis- 2 assists
& be sure to follow Braden @OTCBraden to stay up to date with everything Bolts related.
Jonas Gustavsson 11 3 6 1 0 2.45 .917
Dan Ellis 14 5 4 3 2 2.85 .895
I expect a very fast paced game as both teams are known for their quickness. Steven Stamkos hasn't scored in two games, but expect him to pick up a goal or two in Toronto. The Lightning's main concern has to be Mikhael Grabvoski who always has a knack to pick up points against the Bolts.
Predictions:5-3 Lightning
Three Stars:
1. Steven Stamkos- 2 goals 1 assist
2. Nikolai Kulemin- 1 goal 1 assist
3. Martin St. Louis- 2 assists
& be sure to follow Braden @OTCBraden to stay up to date with everything Bolts related.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Is it Time for VIncent Lecavalier to go?
There has been a debate for the last two years, if Vincent Lecavalier should be traded, and I believe the time is now. Even though he is injured for another four to five weeks , I believe there would be some teams interested in his services. The last two years Lecavalier has been linked to trade talks with several teams, but the deals have fallen through. He has had a respectable start to the season, before the injury and this could add to his trade value. Vincent has lost favour with the fans and most are calling for a trade.
Lecavalier had nine points in fourteen games before suffering a broken hand in a 6-3 loss to the Washington Capitals, and is on injured reserved for an estimated two to three weeks. He was playing on the second line, and only had three goals in the season. The Lightning have not missed Lecavalier going 5-3 in the games since. Steven Stamkos has emerged as the new star for Lightning leading the NHL in goals and points with 38. With the Lightning emerging as a playoff contender, Lecavalier should be traded to add some depth on the blue line and some draft picks.
Vincent has not scored thirty goals in the past two seasons, and has 9 seasons left on his contract with a cap hit of 7.7 million. A change in scenery might be welcomed by Lecavalier who has a no trade clause. In the past Montreal(Lecavalier's home province) has been linked to trades for Lecavalier, but they have lost significant cap space and Tampa would have to be willing to accept large cap players to make the deal work. A potential deal could be: Vincent Lecavlier to the Montreal Canadiens for Roman Hamrlik, Ben Maxwell and a first round pick (via capgeek.com). This deal would be very hard to pull off but could help both teams in different areas. Montreal would get the large center they've been criticized about and Tampa would get some defensive depth to help the young defenders.
That is just one trade the Lightning could make, but don't expect them to trade Vincent, unless Yzerman gets a deal he can't resist. I know many fans who have been disappointed with Lecavalier, and I too expect much more for a player who is getting paid 10 million for the next six seasons, but unless something large happens, Vinny may stay in the Sunshine State for another couple of seasons.
Follow Braden @OTCBraden on twitter to stay update with the Tampa Bay Lightning
Lecavalier had nine points in fourteen games before suffering a broken hand in a 6-3 loss to the Washington Capitals, and is on injured reserved for an estimated two to three weeks. He was playing on the second line, and only had three goals in the season. The Lightning have not missed Lecavalier going 5-3 in the games since. Steven Stamkos has emerged as the new star for Lightning leading the NHL in goals and points with 38. With the Lightning emerging as a playoff contender, Lecavalier should be traded to add some depth on the blue line and some draft picks.
Vincent has not scored thirty goals in the past two seasons, and has 9 seasons left on his contract with a cap hit of 7.7 million. A change in scenery might be welcomed by Lecavalier who has a no trade clause. In the past Montreal(Lecavalier's home province) has been linked to trades for Lecavalier, but they have lost significant cap space and Tampa would have to be willing to accept large cap players to make the deal work. A potential deal could be: Vincent Lecavlier to the Montreal Canadiens for Roman Hamrlik, Ben Maxwell and a first round pick (via capgeek.com). This deal would be very hard to pull off but could help both teams in different areas. Montreal would get the large center they've been criticized about and Tampa would get some defensive depth to help the young defenders.
That is just one trade the Lightning could make, but don't expect them to trade Vincent, unless Yzerman gets a deal he can't resist. I know many fans who have been disappointed with Lecavalier, and I too expect much more for a player who is getting paid 10 million for the next six seasons, but unless something large happens, Vinny may stay in the Sunshine State for another couple of seasons.
Follow Braden @OTCBraden on twitter to stay update with the Tampa Bay Lightning
Thursday, November 18, 2010
NHL: Jokinen, Ritola Suspended
Jokinen gets two
Calgary Flames forward Olli Jokinen has been suspended for three games for a cross-checking incident that occurred during the third period of the Flames' 3-1 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday night.
Jokinen delivered the cross-check to Phoenix Coyotes forward Wojtek Wolski, and was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct on the play.
Wolski, who has scored two goals and assisted on another eight this season, has been playing great lately with five points in his last six games.
Jokinen, meanwhile, is not playing quite as good. The 31-year-old has two goals and six assists in 17 games this season, to go along with a minus-1 rating.
Ritola also suspended
The NHL also suspended Tampa Bay Lightning forward Mattias Ritola two games for a hit he delivered to Matt Moulson of the New York Islanders, according to Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Bay Tribune.
The incident occurred during the second period of Tampa Bay's 4-2 win over the New York Islanders. Ritola was given a five-minute major for charging on the play and will now forfeit $5,555.92 in salary.
Ritola has scored one goal this season in 12 games. Erlendsson says the Lightning have called up Matt Roy and James Wright from the AHL.
This is the first suspension of Ritola's NHL career.
**Follow Lukas on Twitter @SportsHazeLukas for breaking hockey news and rumors, as well as Toronto Maple Leafs game updates. You can contact him at lukas@gacksports.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)