Islanders may carry three goalies, and DeBoer would rather not
Varlamov's knees and Vanecek's waiver exposure have the Isles weighing a roster spot nobody wants to burn.
The Islanders may open the season carrying three goalies, and the coach isn't thrilled about it. Pete DeBoer told reporters the idea "has been discussed," then added, "I don't think that we want to go there, but it's on the table if we have to," per The Hockey News' Stefen Rosner.
The wrinkle is Semyon Varlamov. He's 38, hasn't played since November 2024 and is coming back from two partial knee replacements. Behind Ilya Sorokin sits Vitek Vanecek, signed for one year at $1 million this summer. He'd have to clear waivers to reach AHL Hamilton.
Pro Hockey Rumors' Bradley Keith noted Varlamov went 2-0 with a .939 save percentage in two AHL conditioning starts last spring. Vanecek posted an .883 with Utah last year.
Ferda read: a third goalie is a dead roster spot until the day it isn't. If Varlamov's knees hold, Vanecek probably clears in October, when nobody's shopping for an .883. Trying that same trick in January is a very different bet.
