Nabokov Lightning-bound?

News broke today that ex-San Jose Shark Evgeni Nabokov and his KHL team have parted ways and that the 35 year old net-minder is returning to the United States. As a free-agent, Nabby will need to clear waivers if he is to return to the NHL.

After a quick glance at the teams in the NHL, their standings, and their goaltending situations the Tampa Bay Lightning stood out to me as the likely destination for Nabby. Now, would another team below them in the standings put in a claim for him? Perhaps but as one member of Twitter suggested that Nabokov would command a $4 million+ cap hit, its unlikely that he'd fall into a large number of teams without an immediate need for a goalie.

I agree with that arguement knowing that many teams are strapped for cash so he'd best fit with a true contender but I have doubts that Nabby would be able to sign for that high of a price given the current market for goalies and the kind of season he's had in the KHL.

The Lightning would be a scary team with Nabokov between the pipes, somewhat reminicent to their 2004 Stanley Cup team when they had another Russian in net with Nikolai Khabibulin.

If my premonition comes true, not only will I be a genius and have to pat myself on the back, but which current Lightning goaltender will survive? Let the #DanEllisProblems ensue.

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