Mar 7, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; New York Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov (20) guards his net during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Bay Lightning have found their backup goalie.
Steve Yzerman has inked Evgeni Nabokov to a one-year deal worth a reported $1.55 million.
Evgeny Nabokov signs a one-year deal with TB.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 1, 2014
Nabokov certainly comes with a wealth of experience.
The 38-year-old has 350 career regular seasons wins in 686 appearances. He has a .912 save percentage and an 2.43 goals against average. He’s played nearly 40,000 minutes in the NHL.
Nabokov spent the first 10 years of his career in San Jose with the Sharks, where he posted more than 40 wins three times, including a career high 46 in the 2007-08 season.
After a one year NHL hiatus, where he played for SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL, he spent the last three seasons on Long Island with the New York Islanders.
He is a two-time all-star and won the Calder Trophy in 2000-01 after posting 32 wins in his rookie season.
Last season he went 15-14-8 with a 2.74 GAA and .905 save percentage.
Nabokov will be backing up Ben Bishop, who last season set the franchise record for wins at 37.
Considering the Lightning has 13 back-to-backs this season, Nabokov will certainly get ample of playing time between the pipes.
With this signing, it also ensures that Kristers Gudlevskis and Andrei Vasilevskiy will be playing in Syracuse this upcoming season.