WATCH: Islanders’ Semyon Varlamov Continues Making Strides In Recovery After Two Knee Replacements
Varlamov is making noticeable strides in his recovery after two knee replacements, with new drill footage showing real progress for the New York Islanders veteran goaltender.
EAST MEADOW, NY — Whether New York Islanders injured goaltender Semyon Varlamov makes it back to playing in the NHL after having two knee replacements is still to be determined.
When we first saw him early in the recovery, he was working on the basics with goaltending coach Sergei Naumovs. There wasn’t much lateral movement being done, more skating, going in and out of butterfly, things like that.
But over the last month or so, we’ve seen the soon-to-be 38-year-old taking strides, with much more lateral movement.
On March 16, Varlamov hopped on the ice at the end of practice, a euphoric moment for I bet himself and for sure his teammates.
Flash-forward a few weeks, and seeing Varlamov hit the ice toward the end of practice has become a common theme.
His progression from basic shots to lateral movement is evident.
Following the last few practices, I took some video of Varlamov putting in the work so you can see what I’m talking about:
Happy Free Friday!
It’s night and day from where Varlamov was a few months ago.
We know that the veteran backstop is not part of the Islanders’ plans for the 2025-26 season. He is under contract for one more season at $2.75 million.
I’ve seen so many people comment “he’s done” or “just retire”, things of that nature.
Maybe he is done. Maybe he’s just trying to prove to himself that he can get back before riding off into the Texas sunset — that’s where he spends his offseason.
Or maybe, just maybe, Varlamov can do the unthinkable and continue his NHL career.
Regardless, seeing Varlamov working his way back is a great sight.
LATEST NEWS
ON THE ISLAND - EPISODE 5: The Details
SCORE PRIORITY PLAYOFF ACCESS
Love Varley but he is basically on a three year conditioning rehab stint at this point. Great to have him in the facility and around the team. He obviously 🙄 loves it and his teammates do too. Big Save Dave, great dude. However we are faced with the vexing backup goaltending issue once more. Unless we can get Dmitri Gamzin (age 22) over from the KHL, we have to go back in the retread bin. Maybe Gamzin like Sorokin would like to play at home until 25, he just signed a two year contract with his KHL team. Seems like the kid is extremely talented. Would like to see a home grown Russian Tandem next year with Varley around the kid. Similar to the Martin Schaefer Situation. Don’t know if he wants to make the jump yet or Islanders can get him out of the contract. Let’s hope the last six games of the season go well. I hope 🤞 Darche and Patrick aren’t afraid to shake things up. By inserting a George, Foudy, Eklund, or maybe Eiserman if we do make the Playoffs. Would hate to see a feeble playoffs series! These days off should have helped the team refocus. I expect them to win the Flyers game. Beyond Gut Check Time Boys, you got a reprieve from the out of town scoreboard. What are they going to do with it?