Semyon Varlamov’s first regular-season game back for the New York Islanders didn’t end in a win, but it did deliver something far more important for the club: a healthy, encouraging return from a goalie who has spent 676 days working his way back.
Tuesday’s matchup with the New York Rangers carried extra weight for Varlamov. It was his first regular-season appearance since undergoing partial replacements on both knees, and even before the puck dropped, the moment had been building for a long time. He had appeared in two games last season with the Bridgeport Islanders in the AHL and saw preseason action within the last two weeks, but this was the real test - the end point of the rehab grind.
“It was awesome,” Varlamov said, via Tyler Millen of NHL.com. "Had a great experience today playing the game again at [the] NHL level, regular season.
I was having a lot of fun out there. A little bit emotional in the beginning, especially during the warm-up.
Great building to play, great atmosphere. One of the best buildings in the world.
When you play here, you always want to give your best and I was just trying to stay focused, not to get too emotional about the game and stuff. And then just unfortunately, we didn't get the result today.
But the whole experience was awesome."
The Islanders fell 5-2, but the result was almost beside the point. The bigger takeaway was that Varlamov got through the night without issue, and that his knees felt 100 percent afterward. For a goalie shaking off nearly two years of rust, that’s the kind of checkpoint New York wanted to see.
The game did start poorly. Oliver Bjorkstrand beat him with a slap shot on the first shot attempt Varlamov faced. After that, though, he settled in and showed signs of the goalie the Islanders know they have behind Ilya Sorokin.
There’s still timing to regain, and there’s still the emotional side of the comeback to manage. But for head coach Peter DeBoer, the first step looked strong enough.
“Considering the circumstances, I thought he was a warrior for us in there today,” DeBoer said. “I give him full marks for what he's gone through to come back, and this is the first step for him in a long season where he's going to play a lot of games for us.”
That role matters. Sorokin needs help during the season, and the Islanders did not get enough of that in the 2025-26 campaign, when their No. 1 goalie wore down as the year went on. Varlamov is now positioned to change that, with the expectation that he can deliver 20-25 strong starts and give New York the relief it needs.
In Other News...
Islanders Already Face A Romanov Concern They Couldn't Afford
Alexander Romanovs night ended early Tuesday against the Rangers, and for the Islanders that was the kind of development they could ill afford. The defenseman left the game with an apparent injury and did not return for the final 12:04, a troublesome sight for a team that leans heavily on its blue-line depth and needs every available body while the schedule keeps moving.
Pete DeBoer said Romanov is still being evaluated, leaving the Islanders in the familiar spot of waiting on an update that could shape what comes next. If the injury keeps him out longer than hoped, the ripple effect on defense could be significant, especially for a group that does not have much margin for error when one of its key regulars is suddenly in question. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Suddenly Have A Blue Line Concern After Rivalry Loss
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Alexander Romanovs situation is harder to read, and that is where the concern around the blue line starts to grow. The defenseman exited with a leg injury, and there was no postgame update from coach Pete DeBoer, leaving the Islanders waiting to see how much time, if any, they might have to manage without him. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Blue Line Just Got A Prospect Fans Will Want To Track
The Islanders have added another young name to their blue line pipeline, signing defenseman Vladimir Dravecky to a three-year entry-level contract after selecting him in the fifth round of the 2026 NHL Draft. The Czech blueliner has spent time in the Ontario Hockey League and has also represented Czechia in international tournaments, giving New York a prospect with both junior and international seasoning as it continues to build out its defensive depth.
Dravecky already got a first look at the NHL stage when he made his preseason debut, a notable step for a player still early in his pro path. Former coach Jay McKee has pointed to his offensive ability and intensity, traits that should make him a name worth monitoring as the Islanders see how his game translates over the next few years. [Read more 🡒]