Islanders need to play it safe by waiving Varlamov

The New York Islanders face a logjam in the crease this season. And if the logjam does play out, the organization will face a difficult choice.

Perhaps the easiest way out is to carry three goalies. Ilya Sorokin will be the starter for the Isles barring any injury. The question will be in the backup role. The club signed Vitek Vanacek this summer to back up Sorokin.

That’s fine. Vanacek is a good choice to carry the load in Sorokin’s absence. But the problem lies with Semyon Varlamov. The veteran netminder is attempting a miraculous comeback. If it works out, he’ll go down among other NHL greats who have come back from seemingly career-ending injuries.

And that’s why the Islanders will need to figure out what to do with their roster. Carrying three goalies means one fewer roster spot for a forward or a defenseman.

And if the club decides to place Vanacek on waivers, there is no way he clears.

Therefore, placing Varlamov on waivers is the safest bet for the team. There is a very high probability that Varlamov clears. After all, would there be a team willing to take on his contract, knowing that he may not play?

Yes, Varlamov is too much of a risk. That’s why he should clear. If and when he does, he could get regular playing time in Hamilton. That playing would allow the organization to determine if he’s truly ready for the NHL, or if the comeback will have come to an end.

Islanders right to give Varlamov another chance

The Islanders are doing right by Varlamov in giving him another chance in the NHL. But practicality should determine decisions. And in this case, the best thing for the team is to roll with Sorokin and Vanacek.

That said, sending Varlamov to the AHL would allow him to continue ramping up to the point where he could become a meaningful contributor at the NHL level.

If that’s the case, and, unfortunately, Vanacek doesn’t quite live up to expectations, the Islanders can confidently waive Vanacek.

But hoping that Varlamov’s knees hold up just isn’t a strategy. You would think that Varlamov knows this. And if there really is no path forward in Long Island, perhaps another goalie-starved team would be willing to take a flyer on “Varly.”

Varlamov has an opportunity to become one of those incredible comeback stories we all love to read about. However, reality also gets in the way. For the Islanders, a team looking to contend for a playoff spot, there isn’t much room for a Hail Mary.

So, Varlamov may have reached the end of the line in New York. But there may be another opportunity waiting for him elsewhere. All of that depends on a good showing at camp this fall.

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