The New York Islanders are turning to an experienced veteran on Tuesday. New York's goalie Semyon Varlamov will be making his first start since 2024 in a game against the New York Rangers.
Varlamov had both of his knees partially replaced. He hasn't started an NHL game in more than 600 days. His last start came on November 29, 2024.
Sportsnet released a social media post on X to celebrate the occasion.
“676 days in the making,” the post said. It also featured an image of Varlamov.
Varlamov's teammates are fired up to see him back out there.
“I think it's going to be awesome,” Islanders captain Bo Horvat said, per NHL.com. “‘Varly', for him to go through what he went through and come back from having both knees done, yeah, it's a phenomenal story and obviously we really want to get this one for him tonight.”
Varlamov has played with the Islanders since 2019. He last appeared during the 2024-25 campaign, when he started 10 games. Before coming to New York, the goaltender played with the Colorado Avalanche and Washington Capitals.
In his career, Varlamov has 289 victories in 621 games played. New York is confident the veteran can hold his own on the ice.
“I really believe with what I saw in Varly that we have two very good goalies,” Islanders coach Peter DeBoer said. “If Varly plays the way I feel he's going to play as the season goes on, whether it's tonight or as the season goes forward, I think we're going to be comfortable playing both guys in whatever building we're in, in whatever divisional game we're in, which is a great luxury to have. That's my vision, and I think why not jump into that early?”
The Islanders play the Rangers on Tuesday at 7:30 ET. This season, the Islanders hold a 1-1 record.