September 1, 2026 • 12:02 AM EDT
Updated 3 days ago
The New York Islanders head into the 2026-27 season with one of the most compelling comeback stories in hockey. Semyon Varlamov, at 38, is set to return to the NHL after undergoing a double-knee replacement—a rare feat for any athlete, let alone a goaltender in his late thirties. If you’ve followed the Islanders, you know just how big this could be. A reliable Varlamov changes the conversation around their entire season.
Let’s be honest, there aren’t many players who come back from something as serious as a double-knee replacement and jump right back into a demanding role. Varlamov hadn’t played since November 2024 before rehab stints with Bridgeport at the end of last year. Impressively, he went 2-0 in those games, stopping 46 of 49 shots. That’s more than just encouraging—it signals to Islanders fans and bettors that he’s far from done.
According to Yahoo Sports, the Islanders were forced to lean heavily on Ilya Sorokin these past two seasons. The backup roulette with David Rittich and Marcus Hogberg didn’t work, leading to extra starts for Sorokin and plenty of late-season fatigue. Now, with Varlamov healthy, the Islanders have a much more stable tandem between the pipes. That kind of depth is gold over an 82-game grind.
I see Varlamov’s return as a potential swing factor. For starters, the Islanders can give Sorokin proper breathers, which means a fresher No. 1 come playoff push and fewer panic moments if injury strikes. Bettors, don’t undersell the confidence a trusted backup brings to a defensive system. An error-prone backup last year pushed Sorokin’s ice time higher than anyone wanted. That’s where goals against creep up and everything gets harder—both for the team and anyone betting their totals or moneylines.
- Semyon Varlamov makes his return after double-knee replacement surgery.
- Played two successful rehab games with Bridgeport, going 2-0 with 46 saves on 49 shots.
- Rittich and Hogberg struggled in support last season, causing Sorokin to carry too much of the load.
- Varlamov’s healthy presence could stabilise the Islanders’ goalie situation.
- Gives the team two trusted options in net for the first time in years.
What Varlamov’s Comeback Means for Islanders Backers
If you’re looking for betting angles, Varlamov’s health gives you every reason to re-examine Islanders lines, especially early in the season. With two goalies they can actually trust, New York should avoid long losing streaks that plagued them before. That’s worth a serious look at their season win total and maybe even some confidence in their playoff odds if both goalies stay upright.
The Numbers Behind the Narrative
His rehab play (2-0, 46 saves on 49 shots) isn’t a huge sample, but it beats the downward spiral the Islanders saw with previous backups. No more forced overplays for Sorokin, and you can trust oddsmakers will adjust as we see how often Varlamov gets the call.
Key Takeaways for Bettors
- Semyon Varlamov’s remarkable comeback is the wild card for the Islanders’ season.
- Look to early-season splits: if he proves healthy, Islanders lines could be undervalued.
- Sorokin finally gets proper rest, boosting the team’s consistency and late-season stamina.
- If Varlamov returns to form, New York’s goalie tandem is suddenly among the league’s most dependable.
- Goalie depth can influence totals and moneylines, so stay updated each game night.
- Monitor opening month performance; books will move quickly if the comeback is for real.
- Avoid overreacting to one-off bad outings—the upside of stability is huge over a full season.
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