“Wow, what’s the point?”

The point is getting pretty clear right about now.

The New York Islanders turned some heads in late-January when they claimed former NHL all-star Evgeni Nabokov off waivers.  That is not what the media is talking about though; after all, NHL followers are used to players getting claimed off waivers after playing in Europe, getting a contract from an NHL team then having to go through the NHL’s questionable waiver process.  Just ask the St. Louis Blues.

Nabokov was obviously upset over the Islanders’ decision to claim him, hanging up on Islanders’ GM Garth Snow when he called him for the first time (Nabokov claims he thought he was a member of the media).  He refused to report to practice, staying in his home in California.  After hanging up on Snow, Nabokov found a media member at ESPN.com that he trusted to tell his side of the story.

"I think I'm going to stay home for now, I'm sticking with my decision," Nabokov said a few weeks back. "It's nothing against the Islanders and their organization. It's nothing to do with that. It's just that I'm at the point in my career where I want to help a team win in the playoffs. I don't see how I could help the Islanders or what I could do for them. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me. And I hope they understand that.

"I was surprised they picked me up. I was like, 'Wow, what's the point?’”

Currently 15 points out of the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the Islanders are looking at another post-season that they will watch from home.  It is true that Nabokov would be playing on a non-Cup contender, but the Islanders brought him in for other reasons.

While the 24-hour waiver period was in progress, reports poured out that Nabokov’s agent, Don Meehan, wanted to ensure that Nabokov would go unclaimed and be a member of the team he had originally signed with, the Detroit Red Wings.  Allegedly, Meehan sent an email to the other 29 teams, asking to not claim Nabokov unless he has a legitimate shot to be the number-one guy.

Nabokov has that chance in New York.  If he just was not going to report, why even bother sending the email?

The truth is that the Islanders could use Nabokov now more than ever.  Not only has the swift hand of Brent Johnson knocked out oft-injured Rick DiPietro for 4-6 weeks, the Islanders have many more goalie-injury woes.  27-year old Nathan Lawson suffered a strained MCL in January and is still not back in the lineup.  20-year old Kevin Poulin hit a rut in the pre-game skate February 8th and was later determined to have dislocated his kneecap and will miss the remainder of the season (rookie and current starter Mikko Koskinen was the only goalie for the Islanders after the pre-game incident until another backup, Joel Martin, arrived in the third period from Bridgeport).  The Islanders have also had to use the likes of youngsters Martin and Al Montoya to fulfill their two goalie spots every game.  The Islanders have been forced to start three rookies in goal throughout the season.

Don’t believe me?  Check out NewYorkIslanders.com and see how many goalies are currently listed on their roster.  Let’s just say it’s typically the same amount that an NHL team would carry defensemen.

Nabokov is needed because every team needs a goaltender.  I am sure that GM Snow and Head Coach Jack Capuano do not enjoy giving their young and impressionable goaltenders so much playing time in the NHL.  Goaltenders, more than any other position, need to work through the ranks of the leagues and progress in each league.  Making the jump into NHL action can drastically affect a young player.  That is why many young goalies will backup a veteran starter before taking over the starting job. 

Nabokov is needed to help coach this team and prepare them for the future.  His attitude on the matter only reflects poorly on him.  If he expects to see any NHL team take a gamble on him again in the future, he may want to reconsider his decision to not play in the Island.