By Justin Worsley
The San Jose Sharks have announced on Tuesday that they will allow goaltender Evgeni Nabokov to leave the team and enter the free agent market, according to the Associated Press.
Nabokov, 34, has spent his entire career in San Jose after the Sharks selected the lefty from Russia 219th overall in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. In 2008, Nabokov was the goalie for the Russian team that won the gold medal in the World Hockey Championship.
In the past three seasons, Nabokov has won 131 games, the most of any NHL goalie during that span. Last season, Nabokov was 44-16-0-10 while posting a goal against average of 2.43 and a .922 save percentage, the sixth-best in the league. His 44 wins were also second most to New Jersey's Martin Brodeur.
The loss of Nabokov, who is being released due to Salary Cap reasons, opens the door for back-up Thomas Greiss. Greiss played in five game last season, posting a 3-2 record and allowing nine goals.
Several teams will be more than willing to sign Nabokov, who has been underpaid throughout his tenure in San Jose. The New York Islanders are one team desperate to have a veteran man in front of the net while the Philadelphia Flyers may look to bring in Nabokov to have a more consistent performer at the most important position in hockey.
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