Nabby doesn't have deal, wants to stay
New York Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov allows a goal on a shot from Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza during the second period. (Feb. 26, 2012) Credit: AP
KANATA, Ontario -- Evgeni Nabokov's agent, Don Meehan, and Islanders general manager Garth Snow will talk contract again Monday, but it doesn't appear the Isles will lock up the 36-year-old goaltender before the 3 p.m. trade deadline.
Neither side seems to feel that's any kind of deadline to finish a deal. Snow reiterated to Newsday on Saturday that he has no plans to trade Nabokov, and the goaltender said after Sunday night's 5-2 loss that he has no plans to ask Snow for a trade. Nabokov has a no-trade clause.
"Only if they come to me," he said after making 19 saves. "I don't know what's going to happen, but I'm not going to do that [ask for a trade]."
Nabokov is one of the more attractive pieces of trade bait Snow has, and there's always a chance a team will come to him with a desperate offer that's too sweet to pass up in the final hours. But both team and player want to keep this relationship going into next season, so it's much more likely that a deal eventually will be hammered out and Nabokov will remain an Islander.
Parenteau wants to stay
P.A. Parenteau is the other major trade chip Snow could turn into a prospect or a high draft pick, but Snow wants to re-sign Parenteau. He had a goal and an assist Sunday night, raising his season total to 58 points and tying him for 17th in the league in scoring.
"I've said it already and I'll say it again: I want to stay here," Parenteau said after the game. "I guess anything's possible [Monday], but I'd be real surprised if I get traded. We're building something here and I want to stay and be a part of it."
Isles files
Steve Staios was a late scratch with a lower-body injury and Mike Mottau suited up for the first time since Dec. 29 . . . Milan Jurcina (minus-28) and Mark Streit (minus-25) are the bottom two players in plus/minus in the NHL.
