With Robin Lehner off the market, the New York Islanders went with their backup plan and grabbed former Colorado Avalanche keeper Semyon Varlamov. The team has announced that Varlamov has agreed to a four-year contact that will carry a $5MM average annual value. Varlamov will join Thomas Greiss in an Islanders’ tandem that is the reigning Jennings Trophy winners.
Varlamov, 31, has been a dominant goaltender in the NHL at times but on the surface doesn’t look like much of an upgrade from Lehner. Starting 39 games for the Colorado Avalanche last season he posted a .909 save percentage, but has been a Vezina finalist in the past and has a career .916 mark. He certainly could experience a boost in the Barry Trotz-led defensive system, but it is the length of the deal that seems out of place. Varlamov has dealt with injuries over his career and hasn’t played in a playoff game since 2014, not exactly the workhorse talent that GM Lou Lamoriello has targeted for his teams in the past.
The veteran goaltender came in at No. 20 on our Top 50 UFA list, though we projected him for just a two-year contract worth a total of $6.5MM. That number was obviously blown out of the water by the $20MM guarantee which includes a $6MM salary in year one. The Islanders had plenty of cap space to use today and were able to re-sign captain Anders Lee in addition to Varlamov, but the day clearly didn’t go as originally planned. They’ll have to hope the tandem with Greiss can repeat last year’s performance and get them back to the playoffs in the Metropolitan Division.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
This is going to turn out bad
That’s a lot of term for an injury prone goalie
Jeez whats the logic here. Lehner is better
agree with u and sign this guy to 4 years really islanders
surprising their backup plan was a longterm contract at all. I mean seems like the philosophy there is like Washington was, 50/32 but that doesnt require a 4 year deal.
Lehner isn’t better – he’s WAY better. “Sergei” the leak job is now going to stink up Nassau & Barclay’s. Lou! What were you thinking? Note to Thomas Greiss – Previously I said you might have to be between the pipes for upwards of 70 games, but that might have to go to 80 now. Figure out how to put a cleverly-disguised exoskeleton on to help reduce the wear and tear and you should be good. Then, good ‘ol “Sergei” can enjoy a thermos full of tea on the bench and chat it up with some of the fans.
This is 10000000% about bringing in Sorokin. He and badly are Russian fishing buddies. They regularly have gone salmon fishing together. greiss contract has one more year on it. So Varly is here to help his buddy acclimate.
Those of you who didn’t know this just don’t know how highly the Isles view Sorokin