I personally think the "reijo" re is complete bollocks but I wanted to hear rangerlands opinion

He is 34...35. Gave up his Russian contract to sign with a potential Cup winner, and you, the GM of the lowly seeded Isle's pick him on waivers? No respect towards a veteran. What's he going to do? Claim Forsberg as well if the Avs sign him?

Ridiculous.

Forsberg doesn't need waivers. He didn't play in Europe this season.

Why shouldn't Snow? Trade his rights to Detroit for a pick. If he wanted to play for a Cup contender cheap, he could've signed in the NHL to begin with.

True, but say he did. It's the same ideology. If Hasek was playing in Europe, at age 45....the Pens lose Fleury, Johnson, and lose out on any decent NHL goalie that is available to be had. They sign Hasek as he wants to give it a go as well. You're the Isle's GM sitting way down in the standings and being a few games away from playoff elimination. Would you claim the guy after you traded your veteran goalie a few weeks ago?

And what is worse about this is the fact that Nabby has not won a Cup like Hasek or Foppa did. Nabokov signed with Detroit for minimum salary to fit under their cap to make a run for the Cup. And you, a team bound to miss the playoffs, prevent that from happening? I think Snow is putting his reputation on the line here with other GMs.

This isn't Svatos or Wellwood getting picked up........mere depth players. This is a starting goalie with a hell of a career but no Cup and he wants to go for it. You ruin the chances of that for no good reason. This is just terrible.

It's not that easy. Essentially if they want to trade him, any team that put a claim on him that's lower priority than the Isles can get him. Then if no one takes him he has to go BACK on waivers, where a team will probably take him. Snow should just "toll" the contract and make him play for the Isles next year. If he doesn't report then his NHL career is done the Isles hold all the leverage. Its so funny its awesome.



You're first point is moot because he didn't play in Europe. So there is no waiver process. Foppa can sign anywhere.

As for Nabokov, suck it up. You still have a few good years left in you, screw the Isles out of a top 5 draft pick by playing well and then cash in next year. Or JUST DONT SIGN IN RUSSIA IN THE FIRST PLACE. If he had worked out on his own, he would never have had to go through this ordeal. God forbid "good" players sign in Europe and have to deal with the same rules that affect the peasants that aren't "elite goaltenders that have never won a Cup."

Ok, they can't trade him. Did not know that. Still. Their call. They have no obligation to the guy.

Definite douche move on Snow's part.

How? What he did was completely legal? I didn't hear this outcry when Marek Svatos was claimed by Nashville. Why is Nabokov so damn special?

Snow exploited a rule, and Nabokov had to have known this coming in. If not, its his fault.

EDIT: Just to further the point I actually hate this rule. But I don't feel sorry for Nabokov because he had to have known about this beforehand. He fucked himself over, so no there is no pity party here. But here's what should be done:

xc, see what i posted.

Nabokov may not have had any good offers in the off-season, and Detroit evidently did not offer him a contract. The guy saw an opportunity to win the Cup with the Wings because they need him, and he wants a Cup. For the Isle's to take that chance away is disrespectful to Nabokov.

Isle's didn't want to play Poulin in the NHL too much? Should have kept Roloson.

I did see what you posted and I'm calling BS. Just because Nabokov hasn't won a cup doesn't mean he's not subject to the rules. He bolted for the money in the KHL, and just because it didn't work out sucks to be him. The Isles are trying to field a competitive franchise just like every 29 other franchises. They have every right to claim him. It's a dick move, but Nabokov should never have left his team in Russia, or golly gee sign there in the first place, if he didn't want this to happen.

I know hindsight is 20/20, but still as a player he should know the rules and know the risks that go with them. Also, the Isles have another goaltender that they've been using Nathan Lawson, who had been called up. He sucks, so that's probably why they grabbed Nabokov.

Didn't read this carefully the first time, so I'm bringing it back up. The Isle's didn't take Nabokov's chance to win a cup away from him. Nabokov thought he was above the rules when another team picked him up, and couldn't accept that fact that he fucked himself over by trying to return to the NHL. I guarantee none of you would be saying this if we were in the Isle's position and the Rangers claimed Nabokov.

No one is above the rules. You know the risks coming in, and if you can't accept them go back to Russia.

The rule being good or not is a whole other can of words, but Nabokov is an ass for sitting out in this situation.

What do you mean he thought he was above the rules? How do you know he or Detroit had any idea this would happen? You presume a lot here.

As for Nabokov reporting to the Icelanders...he should just stay home. He's made it clear he doesn't want to go there. He openly disrespected Snow. What kind of effort would he possibly give to help this team? It will create nothing but animosity in the locker room. IF he does report, it will be a miserable situation.

Dude, first youre wining and dining with chico, now you're defending snow. Wtf

He would have to be a complete and utter moron to think that NO ONE beneath the Red Wings in the standings would be interested in picking him up at that ridiculously low salary. I hope the Isles really turn the screws. If he had any sense he would just suck it up and put in his 2 1/2 months and go FA again but I think he's already proven what little sense he has.

He's defending snow because snow did nothing wrong. The entire league should have stepped aside, ignored the rules that are in place for a reason, and allowed Detroit to take him?

No.

I get why Snow did what he did, but 1. it wasn't very cool considering Detroit had been negotiating and 2. he picked up a player who he had no idea if he wanted to play there. Now he's got an unhappy player who may not play for him. How is that fair to anyone? If he had at least reached out and talked to Nabby's agent before putting in a claim, some of this mess could have been avoided.

Why does Snow have to be "cool" to Detroit or Nabokov? What does he owe these guys? He needs a veteran goaltender and the process is in place that players signed to foreign contracts have to go through waivers. Suck it up. The Islanders need a veteran goalie, and here's one on waivers. Waivers isn't about where a player wants to go.

Didn't the Islanders lose Wade Dubielewicz the same way when he tried to come back to the NHL? Columbus or someone snagged him after he worked out a deal with the Isles.

It's part of the game, so whether I think it's cool or not doesn't matter.

If anything blame his agent. He's the dolt who told everyone Nabakov would go wherever claimed. So how were the Isles to know differently?

It doesn't matter if he was negotiating with the Red Wings.

I really don't understand the mentality that some people have regarding this situation.

The point in me saying it wasn't cool he did that to Detroit is it creates ill will between general managers. It's one thing if he did it to, say, the Rangers. Those teams don't ever trade with each other. But alienate general managers, and they might not want to make deals with you in the future.

And, seriously, Meehan is going to say a whole lot of things publicly (he has to), but pick up the phone and communicate with him directly. That's my bigger point.

Also, the Islanders shouldn't have taken Tavares #1. That created ill-will with the Lightning. They should have just swapped picks with the Lightning.

The hypocracy of some people when it comes to the Islanders is comical.

Hey, 101...I thought Snow and Wang didn't want to field a competitive team and were tanking? How does claiming Nabokov fit into that theory? Snow saw an opportunity to grab a cheap veteran goalie (who will at least keep the team as competitive as before) because his team has injuries and they want to keep their best goalie prospect in the AHL playing as much as possible.

"Why did they trade Roloson?!?" You're not paying attention, obviously. MONEY. They saved something like $2 million by trading him sooner rather than later. They got a pretty decent prospect for him, but they needed to save money. Period. Nabokov's contract, pro-rated for the rest of the season is something like $300K. So, Snow saves a shitton of money, secures a competitive goalie situation for the rest of the year and doesn't compromise the development of his (possible) future goalie. This is a bad move?

If claming a player off waivers creates ill-will, Checky, then at this point there's maybe 3 GMs activley talking to each other. My point is this happens all the time.

"But this is a big name player. Those other guys were just depth guys. It's different." Bullshit. 1) A player is a player. If a guy is on waivers and you need him and you can claim him, you do it. 2) Nabokov may not be that good. He's supposed to backup Detroit's starter. Maybe give Howard a little kick in the ass to start playing better. Nabokov isn't the same goalie he was 5 years ago. If he were, why the hell was he in Russia?

The reaction whenever the Isles do anything is getting stupid. No...it is completely stupid. It's amazing to me how everyone goes back to the same things. Wang is cheap...Snow is an idiot and over his head...they aren't a viable organization because they have no more fans. Blah, blah, blah. Wang is on record as saying he just can't lose $20M a year anymore. Do you blame him? Snow has been voted one of the better GMs in the league a few times (look it up) because he does a lot with a little and has a plan. The building they play in is a wretched hive of scum and villany(*). Yes, they suck on the ice. But even if they were winning, they'd still lose money. When they last made the playoffs in 2007, I read that they'd still lose money for the year unless they made it to the Conference Finals. Then they'd maybe break even. That building and lease are tight noose right now. Considering all that, the plan Snow is trying to execute is the only option until the building/lease situation is figured out. That said, he's doing a pretty good job.

So anyone who thinks the Isles are a joke for taking Nabokov off waivers...Come up with an actual reason that makes sense or fuck off.

The Islanders had every right to claim him, but the claim that they are 'trying to field a competitive franchise' is - at best - dubious. They had an opportunity to speak with him prior to the claim and did not, so I think both sides - to a certain extant, are being dicks.

I'm not sure why he wouldn't report to the Islanders, but might have something to do with the revolving door that seems in place in the Islanders franchise for any goaltender not named DP.

BTW, Nabakov didn't bolt to the K for money; he left the NHL because the team he had often-times carried on his back cut him loose as a scapegoat for their own gutless playoff performances. The Sharks kept losing in the playoffs because they weren't scoring once the going got tough and they blamed Nabby.

And yet NO ONE in the NHL was interested in giving him the big payday he was obviously looking for.

i dont think that snow is trying to be a spoiler nor do i think its a dick move. i dont blame him. they have a chance to get a competent goalie on the cheap so why wouldn't they? i actually thought of the isles when i first heard nabokov was available since they could use the help. As a rangers fan it would be more fun if this damn long island team became more competitive.

Where is the slightest shred of evidence that money was in any way a factor?

The contract he signed with the Wings was pretty minimal. What Snow did was absolutely within the rules and he was well within his rights make the claim, but a long-time NHL vet has earned a certain amount of respect and if Snow had contacted him before to feel him out and Nabby said he wouldn't report, then Snow shouldn't have claimed him.

The guy did it to try and win a Cup, though, as his salary demand makes that quite obvious. If the Isle's were serious about fielding a competitive team they would not have traded their best d-man and veteran goalie so prior to the midway point of the season. Isle's started selling, but now they claim a veteran goalie trying to win the Cup.

If the Isle's lost Rolly through injuries and kept Wiz, i'd say good move. But it is evident that they were already in selling mode. If Nabokov signed for over $1M i bet you the Isle's would not have even bothered.

Nabokov is subject to the rules and yeah....it's tough luck because rules are rules, but it's a low blow on the Isle's part. I think Nabokov and the Wings knew the risk, but Nabokov figured that worst case scenario it would be a team contending for the playoffs. Not a team that will be looking to again pick top three overall in the draft.

If he were only in it to try and win a cup, then he wouldn't have taken the $6M/yr from the KHL. He would've been signed by an NHL team for a decent amount had he wanted to do so. This is not news.


You're right. But because he didn't cost much is WHY THEY TOOK HIM. I think I've said this once or twice already. And all this "fielding a competitive team" shit is making my head hurt. Last I checked, the Isles weren't 0-45. The Isles aren't good and have a lot of young players. But they try to win every game.


It's a low blow? Really? He's an NHL goalie on waivers for cheap. PERIOD. You know, I still haven't heard your genius plan for running the Islanders. So if you have any actual ideas about what the Islanders should do to field a team in their current financial landscape, I'm still waiting.

Whose serve is it?

You don't field a competitive team when you trade your best d-man and your veteran goalie, that you signed and committed to, before the midway point of the season. Claiming a veteran goalie who is evidently trying to make a Cup run as his main intention of returning to the NHL doesn't necessarily show that you are trying to put a competitive team up front.

I am paying attention, obviously, and with Roloson they saved about $1.7M; however they already paid about $1.3M of his services. You add Nabokov's salary of $300K and in the end the Islanders have paid out $1.6M between Roloson and Nabokov at season's end. Is this really a money saver then? No. They end up paying the same amount in the end for a goalie.

Nabokov went to Russia because he got the best offer and the playoff contenders in the NHL didn't have the cap space to sign him. Ottawa did not. Hawks did not. Wings did not, and they already had a tandem. Now the guy gets interest from these playoffs teams such as Ottawa, the Wings due to injury to Osgood......and Nabokov takes a bite, is willing to play for cheap with these teams that did not have room for him before.

That is Nabokov's situation. Now, tough luck for Nabby...the risks are there with the NHL rules, but worst case scenario was like...the Senators picking him up, not a team going for the lottery pick.

If you recall, and paid attention, i've been supportive of Snow since his Ryan Smyth move. I've recently criticized his moves because i did not like them one bit and this adds to that. Made no sense to do it in my opinion. So no, i am not just dissing him because he is the GM of the Islanders.

To his credit, Snow did wait until after Christmas to trade Roloson.

Um, no, clearly that WASN'T the worst case scenario. He should have been smart enough to see how low the contract was, his agent should have a better idea of the NHLs landscape and it should have been viewed as "wow, Nabby, there's a good chance the Islanders could sign you because you are cheap and they are seriously hurting for any kind of a goalie to get them through the season"

Not to mention, everyone railing on the Islanders is ignoring the financial benefits of a team that has horrible attendance records making a move that generates public interest and brings an actual name goalie in. They need to do SOMETHING to appear that they can at least compete on the ice and Tavares isn't exactly a ticket seller.

Take off the hate glasses and realize this is a business. The Islanders did NOTHING wrong. It wasn't a dick move. It was a team that has serious goalie issues and attendance issues and money issues attempting to bring in a name goalie to garner SOME kind of interest, fix their goalie problem, and do it on the cheap.

Snow would have been a moron NOT to take him

New math? They saved $1.7M by trading Roloson. They picked up Nabokov, which will cost $300K. That means they saved $1.4M by trading Roloson and picking up Nabokov. Why you think what they paid to Roloson for the first half of the year matters makes no sense. If they had kept Roloson, they would've paid him $1.7M more by year's end. So, yes...they saved a lot of money.

He could've resigned with SJ for less if he wanted to play on a contending team. The Flyers were also interested. So your whole angle of, "He justs wants to play for a contender and deserves to" is crap. He could've done that this past offseason and decided to take his ridiculous $6M/year salary from the KHL.

You're "dissing" Snow because you are foolishly convinced they are tanking. You have this idea in your head that the Islander organization is sitting in the office going, "How can we fuck the team up today?" I've tried to explain to you how the financial situation of the team is impacting their decisions and that rebuilding is the only option.

If you don't agree with Snow's idea of "rebuilding", I ask again...What would you do?

I'm sorry, I also must've missed the memo, what exactly is it Nabokov has done that he "deserves" to play for a contender.

Martin Brodeur is a veteran goaltender that will go down as one of the best goaltenders of all time. He deserves to be on a contender as well. Stupid Devils not trading him and giving him what he deserves.

Just stop, please.

not the entire league, but what is nabokov going to do for the islanders this season? theyll be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs in a few weeks. all snow did was block nabby from going where he wanted to go. i think snow knew nabbs wouldnt play. i think snow wanted nabby to not report so that the contract carries into next season and he can use him as a trading chip for some picks or prospects. it was a no lose situation. if he plays, who cares, and if he doesnt, then you can trade him next season.

interesting thread although this place will never be called land

HE BRINGS THEM A NAME AND A GOALTENDER FOR CHEAP WHEN THEY DESPERATELY NEED GOALTENDING. You have to at least TRY to compete and their goaltending is completely decimated. That's what he brings. Do you guys not realize just how long the Islanders have been bad? If they keep everything the status quo right now, why would fans show up to the games or tune in? THINK!




um, ok, So now snow is a genius then? So this is basically admitting that it was a good move by Snow. STUPID SNOW MAKING GOOD MOVES FOR HIS TEAM! WHAT A DICK!

You guys are actually hilarious today. I'm laughing so hard at the circles you guys are running in to paint snow as a dick I've pretty much forgotten about last night.

You wanna know something, its such a smart move the Rangers should have done it. They should have put in the claim then traded Biron for a pick. Wouldn't have mattered though because the Isles would have gotten him anyway, but it would have been a good move for the Rangers to get him as a backup to Hank at that price.

Seriously. If what Steve said is actually what Snow was thinking, Garth is the smartest GM on the planet.

This, 1000%.

1) Rules are rules, even if they are outdated and stupid (as the Reijo Rule is, IMO). Nabokov should just suck it up and report ASAP or risk further damaging his rep. If anything, he can use the low-risk setting of LI as an "audition" for better teams next year, as that asshat Meehan implied.

2) Garth Snow has an obligation to improve the Islanders, period. He did nothing wrong.

3) The league benefits from having all three NY metro teams competitive.

101: Rangers playing the kids YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

Islanders trading Wisniewski for better picks and letting the kids play: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooo

I really hate that I'm in agreement with everyone on this one because there's nothing to argue. Nabokov shouldn't be treated like anyone else, and instead of playing for 6 million a year in the KHL could have just stayed in the NHL to begin with. He knew the rules, and is acting like a whiny brat.

Let me ask everyone who disagrees with Snow here this: What makes Evgeny Nabokov that much different than Marek Svatos and Kyle Wellwood? Because there sure as hell wasn't any outcry when both of them were nabbed by teams, after signing contracts with different NHL clubs.

What kicking their collective asses isn't fun, I love it.

You mean you don't just play devil's advocate most of the time???





The competitive rivalry was more fun.

Just to be clear, because people are focusing on my other point, the thing that is of a bigger issue to me is Snow not reaching out to Meehan/Nabby first before claiming him. Sure, he could just claim him, but now he's got a guy who doesn't want to play there and is in a situation where it's nearly impossible to trade him. It's not fair to anyone involved. If he had reached out before claiming him, they may have avoided the whole situation.

How many times do we say we don't want players here who don't want to play for our team? Same holds true here. The Isles might need him, but is this really the best situation for them now?

Him holding out is the best situation to ever happen to the Isles. They just toll the contract, then he has to play for them next year at league minimum. They'll have okposo and Streit healthy, and an actual number 1 goalie. Hell with Nino and another high draft pick, this team could be set up for a long time then.

How does that solve the situation really? They still don't have the goaltender they need this season and they still have a guy who doesn't want to play there.

The system sucks because now the Isles can't trade him. They might be able to make a move where they could get a back-up if the system was better.

Why was he obligated to reach out to them in the name of "fairness?" They need a goalie. Nabokov is a goalie, and available for the taking by the rules. Sorry, Nabokov earns no sympathy points here. Snow doesn't owe Meehan or Nabokov squat. I think it's awfully unfair that Nabokov signed a contract pursuant to a CBA that he didn't intend to honor, but he's entitled to not report if he wants, and then get tolled.

Or is it only "unfair" of Snow to try and improve his team?

The point that xcheck24 brings up is one of the points I brought up that nobody seems to be addressing. He doesn't want to play there. This is a "Dany Heatley and Edmonton" situation. He may report to them. He may sit out. I'll say it again, if he does report, what kind of effort is he going to give them? What kind of "team player" is he going to be? If he doesn't want to play there, what kind of effect will that have on the locker room? That's something you can't just dismiss. The Islanders are trying to build a positive atmosphere for their youth, win or lose. Having a morose, disengaged veteran who's there to collect a paycheck, and doesn't give a fuck and will leave the first chance he gets, won't help. You don't think they're talking about this now?

Like xcheck24 said, how is this situation going to be resolved right now?