Islanders' Semyon Varlamov, secure in backup role, returns to net
Semyon Varlamov #40 of the Islanders defends the net against the Florida Panthers at UBS Arena on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. Credit: Jim McIsaac
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The NHL trade deadline came and went and the questions that Semyon Varlamov has become used to getting about his future were never asked.
“Which is a good thing,” the Islanders backup goalie said. “Last year was a little different. But I never wanted to be traded. My name wasn’t out there this year. But the trade deadline is over so now everybody can just focus on the game.”
Immediately for Varlamov — quite comfortable in his role as Ilya Sorokin’s backup — was Sunday night’s game against the Ducks at Honda Center. It represented Varlamov’s first start since Feb. 22, as his Russian buddy had played the previous six games, and only his fifth start in 26 games, which includes a stretch he was sidelined with a lower-body injury.
Varlamov entered Sunday having not won since Dec. 13, when he made 19 saves in a 4-3 win over the Ducks at UBS Arena. Coach Patrick Roy said Sorokin would start Monday night against the Kings.
“Almost until the end of the year we have a pretty good idea of who will play where,” Roy said. “I think you need to go with the feeling. If Ilya starts to be tired, then it’s time for Varly to play more games.”
The Islanders brought a season-high five-game winning streak into Sunday after opening their four-game road trip with a 7-2 victory over the hapless Sharks on Thursday. President/general manager Lou Lamoriello then stood pat at Friday’s deadline.
“The team is feeling pretty confident right now,” said Varlamov, who entered Sunday’s game 6-7-3 with a 2.91 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. “It’s always fun to get that winning streak going. The team is playing fast hockey.
“Our guys have done a great job of breaking out of the zone quick as possible. Our transition game is pretty good, too. As a goalie, you like to see the team scoring a lot of goals.”
The Islanders outscored their opponents 24-10 in their previous five games.
Varlamov, 35, signed a four-year, $11 million extension during the offseason after much speculation he would be moved as a pending unrestricted free agent by last season’s trade deadline.
Instead, Varlamov and Sorokin are in their fourth season together.
Varlamov partnered with Thomas Greiss for one season when he joined the Islanders in 2019-20. The team reached the Eastern Conference semifinals in each of Varlamov’s first two seasons on Long Island as he played the bulk of the games in each postseason run.
It goes to Lamoriello’s belief in building from the net on out.
“That’s always been a big part of the puzzle,” Brock Nelson said. “It feels like Lou loves having two guys. Each and every night, it doesn’t matter who’s in, they give us a chance. Even shooting on them at practice, I was talking with [goalie coach] Piero Greco about how Varly is just so positionally sound.”
Sunday's game will mark Varlamov’s 19th appearance in 63 games. His career-high is 63 games with the Avalanche in 2013-14, Roy’s first of three seasons as Colorado’s coach.
Roy, a Hall of Fame goalie who routinely played 60-plus games during his time with the Canadiens and Avalanche, including 63 games in his final season in 2002-03 at age 38, recognizes the difficult transition Varlamov has made from No. 1 workhorse to backup.
“I couldn’t do what he does,” Roy said. “I would not have that patience. Sitting on the bench was something I couldn’t do. We’re all different. I think the relationship between Varly and Ilya is so good. Varly is such a great veteran. I think he’s enjoyed the situation of helping Ilya.”
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
