Islanders: 3 Destinations Varlamov Could Land if Traded

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It's hard to imagine the New York Islanders going into 2022-23 without a goaltending tandem that doesn't feature Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov. Traditionally, Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello likes to build his teams from the net out meaning goalies are first priority, and for good reason. In the ever-evolving game of hockey, today's NHL calls for teams to carry two goaltenders in order to find success season long and in the playoffs.

A perfect example of this is the 2022 Western Conference Final that just concluded. Colorado Avalanche's starter, Darcey Kuemper, was injured in the second period of Game 1 against the Edmonton Oilers and Pavel Francouz played the remainder of the series. As for Edmonton, when Mike Smith looked awful, Mikko Koskinen was relied on for relief. That means four goaltenders were utilized at the most crucial moments of both Colorado's and Edmonton's seasons, so you could see why goaltending is so important and why it's hard to imagine both Sorokin and Varlamov not in the Islanders crease in 2022-23.

That being said, Varlamov has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $5 million. The Islanders have a laundry list of needs to fill this offseason and in order to fulfill them, they might have to shed his salary in order to properly retool this summer and return to the playoffs next spring. Varlamov drew interest at the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline so if Lamoriello dangles his name out there this summer, there's bound to be interest and his phone will be buzzing. Let's take a look at some of the teams that could be interested in acquiring Varlamov this summer.

Colorado Avalanche v Edmonton Oilers - Game Four / Derek Leung/GettyImages

After a clean sweep in the Western Conference Final, the Oilers will surely be looking to upgrade their goaltending situation. The Oilers have already shown interest in Varlamov as one of the teams that reached out to Lamoriello at the trade deadline in February. It's believed that Edmonton was on Varlamov's no-trade list and was unwilling to waive his rights in order to be traded to Edmonton.

Could things have changed since then? Despite the sweep, the Oilers reached the Conference Finals after defeating the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames in the first two rounds. Connor McDavid willed his team to eight wins and Leon Draisaitl, despite the high-ankle sprain, was a force to be reckoned with. A chance to play with two of the best players in the NHL and the world could be enticing to Varlamov after watching how far they went in the playoffs.

Smith's future is unclear as of right now. He is signed for the 2022-23 season but it's believed the 40-year-old goaltender is contemplating retirement. As for Mikko Koskinen, it's rumored he has Koskinen has already accepted an offer to play for HC Lugano in the Swiss National League next season. So Edmonton will be searching for a goaltender one way or another. If it's Varlamov, that's up to him.

Might there be an opportunity for a reunion between Varlamov and the Avalanche? Ironically, both teams that were featured in the Western Conference Final could be interested in Varlamov this summer. Avalanche GM Joe Sakic also reached out to Lamoriello regarding the services of Varlamov at the trade deadline in February. No official offer was made, but the interest was there.

Darcy Kuemper had an excellent season, however, he's set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. There's reason to believe Kuemper could return but Sakic is known to be a tough negotiator that usually comes out of negotiations as the winner. Kuemper's injury-prone resume could hold him back from receiving the term and dollars desired and if he stands firm on what he wants, Sakic won't be afraid to walk away from the table and pursue another goaltender.

Pavel Francouz has two more seasons on his contract at $2 million per season. He's a fine goaltender but considered more a backup than a 1B option. Sakic will want a starter in his crease in order for the Avalanche to continue their domination in-season and in the playoffs. It's quite possible they'll claim it all this season and there's no reason to believe that will satisfy the Avalanche who will look to take a page out of the Tampa Bay Lightnings book and assert their dominance season after season. Varlamov could be a perfect stop-gap for the Avalanche as a suitable starter for them before his contract runs up next summer. There's little reason to believe he won't waive to go play for the well-oiled machine Jared Bednar coaches.

Florida Panthers v Washington Capitals - Game Six / Patrick Smith/GettyImages

Wait, two possible reunions? Yes. The Washington Capitals have decisions to make this summer regarding their future. Are they still a team that can contend, or are they headed for a rebuild. If they decide the former, the Capitals need goaltending. Washington's tandem of Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek are both restricted free agents this summer and although the Capitals have full control over their future, they'll surely want to upgrade the position. Vanecek posted a 2.67 GAA and .908 SV% and Samsonov was worse with a 3.02 GAA and .896 SV%.

Washington GM Brian MacLellan and Lamoriello could help each other in this situation. The Capitals need stability in net, and the Islanders need cap relief and possibly a backup goaltender. One of the RFA's the Capitals currently own could come the other way and the Islanders can sign them up for a reasonable contract for at least the 2022-23 season. Samsonov and Vanecek's numbers didn't look great in 2021-22, but the Islanders also have Piero Greco. Greco has done wonders with goaltenders and improving their games, most notably Robin Lehner. Vanecek or Samsonov would serve as a fine backup to Sorokin if a deal could come to fruition.

There is the hurdle of an in-division trade here. Though not impossible, in-division trades are rare. However, on multiple occasions we've heard Lamoriello talk about "hockey trades," and this could be exactly that.

Honorable mentions go to the Seattle Kraken who just lost Chris Driedger long-term after he underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee, the Chicago Blackhawks who need to figure out their goaltending situation, and even the New Jersey Devils if Varlamov doesn't want to move far from Long Island and still have a chance to start.

The Islanders may or may not move Varlamov this summer but if they do, there will be suitors. Lamoriello will be aggressive in retooling his roster so Varlamov could end up as a casualty in the salary cap gymnastics he Lamoriello continues to work through. Sorokin is the starter now, so anything is possible.

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