keberwein

"Red Wings Roundup"

Orlando, FL • United States • 34 Years Old • Male

Trade Rumor: Evgeni Nabokov to the Red Wings?

Feb. 6—The Red Wings dropped a loss tonight to the Phoenix Coyotes. The game was closer than the 3-1 score reflected because of the empty net goal of Martin Hanzal at the end of the game.

Joey MacDonald had a decent game with 22 saves, but there is already talk of shopping for another goalie while all-star starter Jimmy Howard recovers from a broken finger. Evgeni Nabokov has been the first name mentioned. Nabokov has a .920 save percentage this year with the Islanders and is on the trading block.

Howard is nursing a broken finger and may be out for four to six weeks at a crucial time in the season. The other goalie on the Wings depth chart in 35 year-old Ty Conklin who has only three wins and a dismal .878 save percentage this year.

Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch is reputed for not being shy in the cash-flow department and now may be time to open the wallet. MacDonald had a decent start tonight, but can he repeat that performance over the next six weeks against teams like Philadelphia, Chicago, San Jose, and Anaheim with basically no one to back him up?

Keep your ears to the ground on this one. The NHL trade winds are blowing and there is a good chance we will see Nabokov in red and white.

Kristian Eberwein is a freelance journalist and sports writer from Orlando, Fla. Follow him on Twitter @KrisEberwein