Nabokov to Detroit? What does it mean for the Wizard of Oz?
If you weren't already scared of the Detroit Red Wings potential to head back to the SCF again this year, you ought to be quaking in your boots at this point as news breaks of a Wings-Nabokov deal that has been quietly brewing since - oh, November-ish, when Nabby first publicly stated he wanted to come back to the NHL.
If you weren't already scared of the Detroit Red Wings potential to head back to the SCF again this year, you ought to be quaking in your boots at this point as news breaks of a Wings-Nabokov deal that has been quietly brewing since - oh, November-ish, when Nabby first publicly stated he wanted to come back to the NHL.
People in the know were predicting this is where he would end up, and I have to say for Nabby its a helluva place to land. For the Wings and their fans I will be the first to say its bitter sweet.
For those of you who don't recall the 2008 playoffs, where Evengi Nabokov stood on his head, playing and winning in the clutch almost through the first two rounds- being the only saving grace on a surprisingly overrated San Jose team, or for those of you who haven't closely followed the Sharks for the past 5 years and don't know how time and time again Nabby saved their chum loving tushes, well heads up. He is the real deal. A goaltending stable including Nabby, Howard and future HHOF Chris Osgood should send every team in the league running for the locker rooms.
oh wait. Faulk. Who in this league carries three starting goaltenders? It has never been the Wings style to carry three starting goaltenders, and I think we all know what that means.
Truth is, if the Wings sign Nabby (and waivers are cleared), it probably means we have seen the last of the Wizard. The last of the loyal, hardworking, incredibly talented Kid Future HHOFer who saved our red asses year in and out, who stood on his head time and time again, in the clutch and brought us 3 Stanley Cups. The "Kid" who always gets tossed aside for the Big Name Goaltender, but ends up having lifetime stats as good or better than some such as the Dominator or CuJo. The "Kid" who succeeds in Detroit where BIG Name Goaltenders fall.
It will break my heart. You know I am protective of Ozzie. You know I think he is underrated by the league, the fans and often even his own team. I just want Wings to do right by him, and let him go out with class dignity and the respect he deserves.
Some of you will say that I am jumping the gun and I hope you are right, because its true that I have no way of actually knowing what will happen to Oz if the Nabokov deal is finalized and waivers cleared.
After all with Oz out recovering from sport hernia surgery now anyway, we need stellar talent in back up. We need to take some of the pressure off Jimmah, and frankly Oz has not been able to do that for over a year now.
Of course Nabby will take time to get back up to speed and into shape. Maybe in the end, come March, what we will have is two veteran goaltenders, the best in the league, duke-ing it out for that back up spot. Not a bad situation for the Detroit Red Wings to find themselves in.
After all with Oz out recovering from sport hernia surgery now anyway, we need stellar talent in back up. We need to take some of the pressure off Jimmah, and frankly Oz has not been able to do that for over a year now.
Of course Nabby will take time to get back up to speed and into shape. Maybe in the end, come March, what we will have is two veteran goaltenders, the best in the league, duke-ing it out for that back up spot. Not a bad situation for the Detroit Red Wings to find themselves in.
Stay tuned.There are Waivers to clear.But keep this in mind: We all know how brilliant Wyle E. Kenote Holland is with his Cap space and creative deals. HEDHS, for all we know, Nabby will get a nice big one year check for his shot at seeing a cup and then pull a Hossa. I'm ok with that, except for the impact on Oz.
I know the rest of the hockey world sincerely believes Nabby won't clear waivers, especially when there are so many teams who so desperately need a top notch Goat-tender but here are two points to consider:
ReplyDelete1. He's been sniffing since November, why hasn't anyone else stepped up?
2. No one can explain why the Wings would sign him with the risk of losing him to waivers.
I think he'd be a great fit for Detroit since they really need a competent backup for Howard. He's a proven regular season winner, and Howard is obviously the playoff plan. My only concern is that Nabokov won't play as well without the zillions of starts he was accustomed to in San Jose. But certainly can't hurt for that kind of money.
ReplyDeleteI am also a little wary of the waivers, but it makes sense that for such little money and cap hit, why wouldn't other teams have signed him already if they were truly interested? I guess we'll see Saturday.
Christy- Waivers will not likely be an issue. Even if someone picks him up off waivers, I suspect the Wings made a deal with that team to have them then put Nabby back on waivers, for the Wings to then claim.
ReplyDeleteI had a similar discussion on FB with Shawny yesterday about consistency. Here is what I think. First i think the idea of Nabby being inconsistent is an unvalidated perception. I also think he is Osgoodian in his abiliy to rise to the occasion.
But most importantly, I think Nabby needs a proving ground so he can ask for another multi million dollar contract as a starter elsewhere next year. He's pulling a Hossa. Playing for Detroit is ideal because our style of play will showcase his talent on a team that will go far in the playoffs (if not all the way).
It works for Detroit right now because our goaltenders are banged up and Jimmy needs a break and Oz is probably hurt worse than anyone will say. Plus, other than Musical Line shakeups, there is nothing Babs likes more than a little goalie competition. That is why I see Detroit making this move.
PLUS If Ozzie wants to/can come back, well adversity and Sisyphusian climbs have always made him rise to the occasion.
UNLESS, Wylie Kenyote E. Pluribus Holland is Doing Stevie Y. a prop....
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