Evgeni Nabokov's Mask Seems to Indicate Embrace of This Whole Islanders Thing

Look, I’ve been an Islanders fan since dinosaurs roamed the earth. So I’ve been through all the Lafontaine contract stuff, Kirk Mueller, etc., etc.

But I also root for the laundry first. As long as the guy is here, he’s okay with me whatever his mask looks like.

If Nabokov is motivated to get a last big contract, he could wind up being the difference in this team making a playoff push — if he stays around. I’m not saying it will happen, but if he’s here for the full season and stabilizes the goaltending, he might just lead this young team to the playoffs a win a round or two.

WIll be very interesting to watch the G competition during preseason

So many goalies, not enough nets.
WTH are we going to do with half a dozen pro goalies and only 2 teams to play them on? Someone needs to go to the ECHL… Mikko?

Or perhaps a goalie in any position in the NHL after his World Championship performance.

And while it’s the skull motif Nabokov has used throughout his career, at least it looks much better in Orange & Blue than … teal.

Ahem! I respectfully disagree wholeheartedly. Teal happens to be a wonderful color and Nabby looked wonderful in it. Orange and Blue? He’s going to be like a fish out of water. ;)

….ugh, and black…

Over the years there have been plenty of guys who have snubbed the Islanders. As mentioned above by RMBLIFN, we have been through the laundry list. Not to mention, there have been way more players that have declined to entertain any offers from the Islanders via their agent.
With that said, take a look at Nabakov last season. He was signed a contract with the Red Wings, had to be placed on waivers, and then was picked up by the Islanders. As much as I love the Islanders, any player in their right mind would rather sign with a perennial Cup contender than be claimed by a team that was out of the playoff race. What could he have possibly brought to the Islanders?
 However, that was last year.
This year, the Islanders are a real player and Nabakov has a real chance to be the guy and bump perennial DL DP. I am also not so sure that Montoya won’t slip back into the guy he was before.
While we judged him on his decision last year, let’s keep our minds open to the possibility of this year.

that anyone who stops the puck is fine with me. However, can’t help but wonder how the boy’s in the room feel about it. This guy basically shunned the organization last year, including most of the current squad.

…I’ll root for ‘em. Anything less doesn’t help anyone but Isles haters.

Lyle Richardson’s daily blogosphere rumours roundup at Spector’s Hockey.
Whoever made up today’s rumour is completely bonkers.

GATHER.COM: Larry Seely claims a rumor from Bleacher report has the Vancouver Canucks shipping Roberto Luongo to the New York Islanders in exchange for Calvin de Haan, Casey Cizkas, and two first-round draft picks. Seely also cited Bleacher Report claiming the Toronto Maple Leafs making a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers for backup Michael Leighton.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I hope reading the above didn’t make your morning coffee come out your nose, or spit your cereal out on your screen, especially the "Luongo to the Islanders" one. Seely didn’t provide links to either report, but why bother looking them up? They’re both ridiculous and have no basis in truth.