DETROIT -- The New York Islanders have claimed goaltender Evgeni Nabokov off waivers today.

The Detroit Red Wings had signed Nabokov to a one-year contract on Thursday for $570,000 (about $250,000 prorated for the rest of the season). At that price, it appeared likely that another club would claim the 10-year NHL veteran.

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said it was "a unique opportunity'' to acquire a goalie of Nabokov's caliber, one the club had to explore.

"We tried something,'' Holland said Saturday. "There was a huge opportunity when you get to sign a player and there's no acquisition fee, you don't have to trade anybody, give up any prospects and it's a low base salary. You never know if it's going to work until you try it.''

Holland said if Nabokov had cleared waivers the Red Wings would have carried three goalies for the rest of the season -- Jimmy Howard, Chris Osgood (when he returns from his injury) and Nabokov.

TSN.ca is reporting that

to the Islanders.

But still there is virtually no way for the Red Wings to land Nabokov this season. He has a no-trade clause in the contract he signed with Detroit. If he agrees to waive it, he must first pass through waivers again. And the other teams that put in a claim for him today (it's uncertain how many there were) would get priority. Even on the odd chance that no other team put in a claim for him, the Red Wings would get no preferred status if he goes back on waivers.

Holland said he'll continue to explore opportunities but isn't specifically seeking a goalie. Osgood is expected to return in early to mid-March after having sports hernia surgery on Jan. 11.

"I didn't make the move because I was concerned about our goaltending or Chris Osgood's health,'' Holland said. "We were exploring a unique opportunity.

"Now, we move on.''

Holland said Joey MacDonald, who was assigned on Friday to the Grand Rapids Griffins in case Nabokov cleared, will return to Detroit this week and back-up Howard until Osgood is healthy. Jordan Pearce, who was recalled to back-up Howard for today's game against Chicago, will go back down.

The Islanders were need of a goalie after rookie Nathan Lawson suffered a knee injury during Friday's game against Buffalo. Oft-injured Rick DiPietro missed the game with the flu, leaving rookie Kevin Poulin to finish the game.

The Islanders had traded Dwayne Roloson to Tampa Bay earlier this month.

It won't be known how many teams put in a claim for Nabokov, but the Islanders were second in the pecking order (because they have the second-worst record in the league), behind the New Jersey Devils, who on Friday indicated they were not interested.

Nabokov, 35, became a free agent on Dec. 10, when he was released from his four-year deal with Russian club SKA St. Petersburg.

Nabokov spent his entire NHL career with the San Jose Sharks. He went 44-16-10 last season, with a 2.43 goals-against average. The Sharks elected not to re-sign him due to salary-cap constraints.