Friday, February 13, 2015

Nabokov Retires a Shark

This week, the San Jose Sharks acquired goaltender Evgeni Nabokov for future considerations from the Tampa Bay Lightning, in order to have the seasoned veteran retire where his NHL career began and flourished the most.

Nabokov had a very good career, which started back in the 2000 season with the Sharks, this after being a 9th round selection in the 1994 draft, taken 219th overall.  He amassed a record of 353-227-29-71 with 59 shutouts.

In terms of the hockey pools, he had an up-and-down career, having some blinding years in the pool scoring ranks, finishing in the top 10 six times, and he was also a part of one money-winning team in the last seven years of the hockey pool website, on a 3rd place team in the 2010 season, belonging to Dale B..

Between the Sharks, Islanders and Lightning, not to mention a season over in the KHL in 2011, Nabokov has had a pretty good career and has been a valuable member of a number of hockey pool teams over the years.  But as days go by, the changing of the guard happens and it won't be long before some of the current greats go out the same way.

Nabokov was taken this season by Grant K., taking him in the 7th round, 141st overall, while still being projected to be a backup behind Ben Bishop.  The retirement news that was pending couldn't have come at a better time for Grant, as he was able to drop the Kazakh keeper in the Week Eighteen Waiver Draft, opting for Blackhawks back-up, Antti Raanta, instead.

An updated list of injuries can be found here.

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