How Does Islanders’ Goaltending Tandem Really Stack Up?
From the goal on out has always been the mindset of New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello. With Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov still at his disposal, do the Islanders have the best goaltending tandem in the NHL?
From the goal on out has always been the mindset of New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello.
The Hall of Famer has had a plethora of excellent goaltenders over his career, the biggest being Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur during his time with the New Jersey Devils.
Joining the Islanders in the summer of 2018, Lamoriello had some major priorities.
One was getting top goaltending prospect and KHL superstar Ilya Sorokin to come over to North America once his deal expired.
Five years later, Sorokin is not only on the Islander roster but has flourished in the NHL, quickly becoming one of the best the league has to offer.
This summer, Sorokin inked an eight-year extension worth $8.25 million annually after a Vezina-caliber 2022-23 campaign, losing out to Boston Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark (1.89 GAA, .938 SV%), the clear favorite.
In 62 appearances, Sorokin, an all-star for the first time in his career, owned a 2.34 GAA with a .924 SV% and a league-leading six shutouts.
He posted a record of 31-22-7.
Sorokin bailed the Islanders out left and right on a nightly basis, owning the second-highest high-danger save percentage in the NHL at .852, per NaturalStatrick.com and per Moneypuck.com, ranked third with a 38.7 Goals Saved Above Expected.
Out of 22 goalies to play 3,000 minutes or more (50 starts), Sorokin ranked first in SV%, GAA, and Goals Saved Above Average (GSAA, 36.12).
He was the Islanders MVP, and although Connor McDavid was the clear Hart Trophy favorite, Sorokin did earn second-place votes, one coming from yours truly.
Sorokin, who is about to enter the final year of his three-year deal, could have held the Islanders hostage, demanding a higher dollar amount than what he and his agent Dan Milstein settled for.
It was either the Islanders pay their superstar netminder whatever he asked for or trade him this season.
Fortunately for the Islanders' sake, Sorokin didn't destroy the club financially, and now he can focus on just "stop puck" in 2022-23 rather than his future.
But as much as Sorokin is the key to the Islanders' success going forward, there's no ignoring what backup Semyon Varlamov means to the squad.
Acquired in the summer of 2019, Varlamov has been outstanding for the Islanders in more ways than one, playing a vital role in getting Sorokin to come to North America.
While Varlamov's role has changed from starter to backup with Sorokin's rise, the Islanders proved how much they valued the veteran backstop as they signed him to a four-year extension this summer worth $2.75 million annually.
Four years for the 35-year-old as well as his AAV (less than 50 percent pay cut), may seem like a tad too much for an NHL backup.
But as we have mentioned often, age only matters if that player acts it.
"I don't think I've seen anyone [in] any better [shape] than Varly, as far as how he takes care of his body, how he prepares for each day of practice, how he post-practice and post-game takes care of his body," Lamoriello said. "He is a consummate pro, both on and off the ice. But more importantly for how he, you know, sort of treats himself. So he might be a 35-year-old, but I will tell you this. I've seen a lot of 26, 27-year-olds I wish were in the shape that he is, and as far as that goes, and that's the difference."
Varlamov owned a 2.70 GAA with a .913 SV% in 23 appearances last season, a tad better than his performance in 2021-22 (2.90 GAA, .911 SV%).
Even though Sorokin is the clear-cut No. 1 option for New York, Varlamov is likely to get 20 to 25 games. That's why having Varlamov is so key for the Islanders, as there's not only a collective trust that the Islanders can win games with him between the pipes, but that he can steal games, too.
Heading into 2023-24, is the tandem of Sorokin and Varlamov the strong goaltending duo in the NHL?
The two should serve as the best tandem in the Metropolitan Division.
Yes, the Carolina Hurricanes have two strong goaltenders in Frederik Andersen (2.48 GAA, .903 SV%) and Antti Raanta (2.23 GAA, .910 SV%), but Andersen's struggle with health continues to limit his on-ice productivity.
The New York Rangers have Igor Shesterkin (2.48 GAA, .916 SV%), who is as good, if not better than Sorokin.
While Jonathan Quick may be an upgrade over Jaroslav Halak, the 37-year-old posted under an .882 SV% with a 3.41 GAA in 41 games split between the Los Angeles Kings and Vegas Golden Knights this past season.
The New Jersey Devils have a major question mark in goal, as Vitek Vanecek (2.45 GAA, .911 SV%) played well in the regular season before he fell apart in postseason play, leading to the Akira Schmid (2.13 GAA, .922 SV%) show before his lack of experience came to the forefront.
The Pittsburgh Penguins' goaltending situation may be their downfall after going for it with the Erik Karlsson acquisition.
Tristan Jarry (2.90 GAA, .909 SV%), when healthy, is a true No. 1, but his inability to stay on the ice has limited his ability to find consistency. With Casey DeSmith now with Montreal, the Penguins signed Alex Nedeljkovic (3.53 GAA, .895 SV%) to serve as their backup.
Nedeljkovich was waived by the Detroit Red Wings last season, going unclaimed, as he reported to the Grand Rapid Griffins, their AHL affiliate, and he isn't much of an upgrade, if an upgrade, over DeSmith.
The Washington Capitals have Darcy Kuemper (2.87 GAA, .908 SV%) and Charlie Lindgren as their tandem. Kuemper was solid in his first season in D.C. but doesn't move the goaltending needle. Lindgren (3.05 GAA, .899 SV%) shined at times but overall struggled.
The Philadelphia Flyers are going for a complete rebuild under Daniel Briere and Keith Jones. There were rumors that the young Carter Hart (2.94 GAA, .907 SV%) could be on the move, as behind a horrific squad, he's struggled to develop into an elite netminder, despite having the tools.
Hart's backup, another youngster in Sam Ersson (3.07 GAA, .899 SV%), only has 12 NHL games under his belt, so too small a sample size to determine how effective he can be going forward.
The Columbus Blue Jackets should fare better than they did a year prior. But can Elvis Merzlikins (4.24 GAA, .86 SV%) and Danil Tarasov (3.91 GAA, .892 SV%) be a force for Mike Babcock?
Outside of the Metropolitan Division, the Boston Bruins and the Vegas Golden Knights tandem may serve as a threat.
For Boston, Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman (2.27 GAA, .920 SV%) remain as their 1-2 punch after a tough season for the club.
Yes, Ullmark had a better season than Sorokin playing for a historically lethal Bruins squad, but unless Boston can mimic their 2022-23 season without Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, they have some holes that affect the defensive side of the puck
Outside of Varlamov, Swayman might be the best backup in the NHL, as he could start on a handful of teams.
For Vegas, Adin Hill (2.17 GAA, .932 SV% in playoffs) is fresh off a Stanley Cup, eventually taking the reigns after All-Star Logan Thompson's (2.65 GAA, .915 SV%) season came to a close at the end of March due to a lower-body injury.
Hill, full of confidence after absolute dormancy and larceny on Vegas' climb to the top of the mountain, should have another strong season. And with Thompson back healthy, the Golden Knights have two stellar options.
Not to mention Laurent Brissoit (2.17 GAA, .927 SV%) proved to be of value when Thompson got hurt, so Vegas has three potential options for two spots.
It's simple. The Islanders will be relying heavily on Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat offensively while leaning on Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock to lead the backend this season.
But if the Islanders want to not only be a playoff team but lock in a spot before Game 82, Sorokin and Varlamov will have to lead the way.
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