Sharks tell goalie Evgeni Nabokov they will let him leave as free agent

Sharks will let Nabokov leave as free agent

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Sharks are cutting ties with goalie Evgeni Nabokov.

General manager Doug Wilson said Tuesday the team has told Nabokov he will not be offered a contract when he becomes an unrestricted free agent next month.

Nabokov has been one of the top goalies in the NHL the past few years, winning a league-best 131 games over the past three seasons. He has a 293-215-29 record in 10 seasons with the Sharks, with a 2.39 goals against average. He helped the Sharks reach the Western Conference finals this year where they were swept by eventual Stanley Cup champion Chicago.

Wilson says he would like to sign the team’s other unrestricted free agents, including leading goal-scorer Patrick Marleau.