Evgeni Nabokov was not very good on Saturday night. The Islanders fell to the Panthers 4-2 in the game. Nabokov made 29 saves on 32 shots overall. He will continue to split time with the other goalies on the squad. His record fell to 1-1-0 on the season.

Evgeni Nabokov will be in goal for the Islanders on Saturday. Nabokov has looked good in his few starts this season. He will be in goal while Al Montoya will likely be in goal next game.

Evgeni Nabokov allowed two goals on 29 shots and also got the all important win in his Islander debut against the Rangers Saturday night. Nabokov recorded his 294th NHL win last night, tying Mike Liut for 27th all-time. He is now two wins behind Ron Hextall (296) for 26th place. The former San Jose Shark played 22 games last season in the KHL with the St. Petersburg SKA and enjoyed mixed results but is back in the NHL this season. The Islanders currently have three goaltenders signed to one-way contracts, which is a good thing considering Rick DiPietro will miss significant action again this year due to various injuries. Al Montoya is off to a great a start and the Islanders coaching staff will ride the hot hand which could limit Nabokov's fantasy value in the early part of the season.

Evgeni Nabokov will start his first game of the year for the Islanders. Nabokov has not played since 2010 so we will have to wait and see what he has left in the tank. He is facing off against rival New York Rangers. It will be interesting to say the least.

The New York Islanders are expected to give Evgeni Nabokov, Rick DiPietro and Al Montoya playing time in the team's final two preseason contests. "Over the next few games, we'll get a better feel for who we want in there opening night," said coach Jack Capuano. The team's other three netminders at camp, Kevin Poulin, Anders Nilsson and Mikko Koskinen, are slated to be sent down to the minors to compete for starts in Bridgeport. The regular season begins for the Islanders on Oct. 8 against the Florida Panthers and it will be interesting to see how the team handles three goalies on their roster.

Evgeni Nabokov will not see game action on Saturday night. Al Montoya and Kevin Poulin will split duties against the Devils. Nabokov has been skating in the team's on-ice practices and should be ready to play soon.

Evgeni Nabokov was in a jovial mood at the New York Islanders' practice facility Wednesday morning. That is quite the turnaround after he was suspended by the team last season for not reporting to the organization once he was claimed off waivers. Nabokov shared the crease with Kevin Poulin at one end of the ice, while Rick DiPietro and Al Montoya occupied the net on the other side. "You can't go anywhere without a competition," said Nabokov. "Training camp is always the key to the season and hopefully, we'll get going." It will be interesting to see how the Islanders sort out their goaltending picture going into this campaign.

Evgeni Nabokov said that the perception that he didn't want to go to the Islanders organization last season is "not true." Nabokov signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings, but he refused to play after the Islanders claimed him off of waivers. "What made me make that decision is that I hadn't skated for a month-and-a-half when they claimed me. They were out of the playoffs, but battling to get in and, as a goalie, I know the goalie position is important when fighting for position [in the standings]," Nabokov said. "I didn't feel that I could help them to get to the playoffs. I needed three to four weeks to get ready and the season would've been over." Had Nabokov cooperated with the Islanders last season, the team wouldn't have suspended him and tolled his contract, which kept Nabokov under their control for the 2011-12 season. At any rate, he is willing to play for the Islanders in 2011-12. The Islanders might still end up trading him, especially seeing as Rick DiPietro and Al Montoya are both signed to one-way contracts. Stay tuned.

According to Evgeni Nabokov's agent, Don Meehan, his client is committed to playing in the NHL next season. Meehan already stated in May that Nabokov was willing to report to the Islanders training camp. That gives the Islanders three goaltenders signed to one-way contracts. One solution might be to trade Nabokov and given that he's signed to a very affordable one-year/$570,000 contract, he should attract some interest. We'll keep you posted.

The Philadelphia Flyers might attempt to acquire Evgeni Nabokov from the New York Islanders if they are unable to sign Ilya Bryzgalov. Unlike Bryzgalov, Nabokov's cap hit borders on non-existent, which means they can acquire him without shuffling around their roster. Nabokov signed with Detroit during the 2010-11 season, but he had to clear through waivers before he could play with them. Nabokov was claimed off waivers by the New York Islanders, who he refused to play for because he didn't feel they were a good enough team. The Islanders decided to suspend Nabokov and then toll his contract, which allowed them to retain his rights for the 2011-12 season. It remains to be seen if Nabokov will be more willing to play for the Islanders next season, but they might simply trade him during the off-season. Stay tuned.