Flyers not likely to sign Nabokov before July 1st

Well, that sure didn't last long. Just hours after completing an agreement where the Flyers got exclusive negotiating rights to Evgeni Nabokov, word has come out from a number of sources, including TSN's Bob McKenzie, that the free agent goalie plans to test the market and become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. Apparently, Nabokov feels that he will have plenty of interest from teams around the NHL as well as from the KHL back in his home country of Russia.

With the Flyers also reportedly backing off after hearing how much money Nabokov wanted, this whole situation appears to be dead. Luckily, the Flyers didn't have to give up anything to negotiate with Nabokov, so really, no harm, no foul. Looks like the Flyers will have to go another route in their search for a new starting goaltender.

In a bit of good news, Bob McKenzie also reported on Twitter that Dan Hamhuis isn't likely to sign with the Penguins and will instead become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. While I'm still disappointed the Flyers couldn't sign him, if the Penguins can't get a deal with him either, Paul Holmgren deserves major credit for snagging a 3rd round pick from a division rival.