Marcus Hogberg is still up with the Islanders on an emergency basis.
On Wednesday, I wrote a story about how the New York Islanders would have to make an incredibly hard decision on Marcus Hogberg when Semyon Varlamov was ready to come off long-term injury reserve.
Given how Hogberg has played, owning a 1.41 GAA with a .953 SV% through five appearances, the decision to send him back to Bridgeport of the American Hockey League will be tough.
However, Hogberg does not need waivers to return to Bridgeport.
While players who spend 30 days or play 10 games with the big club need waivers to return to their respective AHL squads—Hogberg has been on the roster for over 40 days—players who are on an emergency recall at the NHL level don't have that ticking day clock.
The Islanders recalled Hogberg on an emergency basis back on Dec. 5, and that emergency status has not changed.
According to a capologist expert who specializes in the CBA and LTIR, the Islanders do not have two fully healthy goaltenders on their roster, so they are in an emergency situation until Varlamov is healthy.
While days don't count for an emergency recall, the 10-game rule is still in effect.
Hogberg has played five games, and Varlamov is expected to return to practice soon.
The Islanders' schedule shows three back-to-back situations before the NHL takes their break for the 4 Nations Face-Off.
So, if Varlamov is unable to return before then, Hogberg likely will make two more appearances, bringing his total up to eight.
He could see a ninth if the Islanders want to give Sorokin a game off on Jan. 30 before their weekend back-to-back in Florida against the Tampa Bay Lightning and then the Florida Panthers.
The real question is, if Varlamov isn't ready to return for a few more months, what will happen then?
Following the tournament, the Islanders play four games that first week back, before a back-to-back a few games later on March 3 and 4.
Ideally, Varlamov will be back by then, and the Islanders don't have to worry.
The real question is, given how well Hogberg is playing, will he have trade value at that point ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline on March 7th?
Because he's on a two-year deal worth $775,000 and is 30 years old, would the Islanders consider trading Varlamov, 36, who has two years left at $2.75 million annually?
Varlamov has a full no-trade clause, so he would have to agree to a new location.
Until the 2025-26 season ends, the Islanders goalie cap hit is $11 million. If that changes and it's Sorokin and Hogberg, that number falls to $9.025 million, saving $1.975 million.
The Islanders will play the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night at 7:30 PM. Sorokin, who has not started the last two games due to illness, is expected to be back between the pipes.