Varlamov Returns to NHL Crease for Islanders After 676-Day Absence
Semyon Varlamov started for the Islanders against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden, marking his first NHL appearance in 676 days. The 38-year-old returned after undergoing two partial knee replacements and nearly two years of rehabilitation. Coach Pete DeBoer said Varlamov had a strong preseason and wanted to keep him from sitting too long while forming a tandem with Ilya Sorokin.
Varlamov, 38, had not played an NHL game since Nov. 29, 2024. His return followed partial replacements of both knees and nearly two years of rehab. He is believed to be the first NHL player to come back after partially replacing both knees. In April, he won two AHL games for Bridgeport, allowing three goals total.
At MSG, he is 10-3-1 with a .928 save percentage and four shutouts in 14 career games, all shutouts as an Islander. In preseason, he relieved Sorokin versus the Rangers on Sept. 22 and stopped 10 shots. GM Mathieu Darche described the recovery as nearly miraculous. Varlamov has 289 wins, a 2.65 GAA and 41 shutouts in 621 regular-season games.
This comeback could resonate beyond hockey, offering a visible example for athletes and older adults facing major joint procedures. It may encourage patience in rehabilitation and careful workload management, especially for goaltenders sharing starts. Fans and teammates could draw motivation from his persistence, while medical and sports-performance observers may discuss what such returns suggest about recovery protocols and long-term durability. It may also shape how teams view veteran backups and tandem roles.