Goalie Unsolved: Evgeni Nabokov Re-signs with New York Islanders

The New York Islanders have re-signed goalie Evgeni Nabokov to a one-year deal.

In hopes of an upgrade, the Islanders had reached the free agency period without re-signing last year's number one goaltender. Now, whether via the open market or via trade, it appears they could not find nor procure a better solution.

According to Arthur Staple of Newsday, the contract for Nabokov is for $3.25 million. Staple also suggests the Islanders were hoping for a crack at Ray Emery, the Blackhawks free agent goaltender who had great results last year in a backup role for a Stanley Cup winner. But Emery is believed headed to Philadelphia.

Depending on your view of either goaltender, that could be one bullet dodged, while a second bullet went right through the five-hole gut.

If this is the only move in goal for next season's NHL roster, the Isles will have to hope for an unlikely fountain of youth performance from Nabokov or a coming-of-age show by Kevin Poulin or Anders Nilsson.

Discuss Nabby and the goalie situation here. But our main, daylong and league-wide free agency discussion thread is over here.