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Breaking News: Islanders Claim Nabokov

According to TSN the New York Islanders have claimed goaltender Evgeni Nabokov. Nabokov originally signed a contract with the Detroit Red Wings, but because he was signed from another hockey league (the KHL) he had to pass through waivers first. 

Teams lowest in the standings have priority over teams higher in the standings when it comes to a waiver claim, so the Islanders claim would have beaten out nearly every other team in the league. 

Here is what TSN had to say on the subject. 

Despite signing with the Wings, Nabokov had to clear waivers to return to the NHL. The St. Louis Blues lost both Marek Svatos and Kyle Wellwood through the same procedure earlier this season. Svatos was claimed by Nashville and Wellwood was scooped up by San Jose.

The contract Nabokov signed with the Red Wings includes a no-move clause and states that he cannot be put back on waivers without his permission. Also, he is ineligible to play in American Hockey League this season due to league rules regarding free agents coming from Europe after Decemeber 15.  

The Islanders, who recently traded number one goaltender Dwayne Roloson to the Tampa Bay Lightning now have another quality starting goalie in case Rick DiPietro's injury continues to linger. 

More when we have it.