Semyon Varlamov is excited to have Patrick Roy as a head coach again.
Semyon Varlamov is excited to have Patrick Roy as a head coach again.
New York Islanders netminder Semyon Varlamov spent eight seasons as a member of the Colorado Avalanche from 2012-2019.
In his second year manning the crease in the Mile-High city, Patrick Roy was hired to be his head coach, leading the club to a 52-22-8 record, finishing first in the Central Division.
Roy received the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year, with Varlamov playing a vital role.
In 63 appearances, Varlamov went 41-14-6, with a 2.41 GAA and a .927 SV%, with two shutouts. He was an All-Star but also finished the year second in the Vezina Trophy -- losing to Boston Bruins Tuukka Rask -- and fourth in the Hart Trophy race.
"Between you and I, Varly should have won the Vezina that year," Roy said Tuesday morning. "I mean, I was very happy to win the Coach of the Year, but honestly, the player that made a difference that year from the team that was second last in the NHL to first in this division, it was because our goaltender was so good.
"I mean, we could count on him night after night after night."
For Varlamov, it was a shock learning that he was being reunited with Roy on Long Island.
"Not gonna lie, I had goosebumps," Varlamov said. "He joined our team because I believe he's a great leader. He's gonna bring a lot of emotions into the locker room, and I think that's what we need right now.
"He's gonna bring a lot of passion to the hockey."
Varlamov hasn't had much time to catch up with his former bench boss since the 35-year-old netminder is just getting back from an injury, and Roy has a lot on his plate, but he believes that Roy hasn't changed his philosophy and style at all since the Colorado days.
"He just came in, and, to be honest, we didn't even have a chance to talk. I didn't have a chance to talk with him, really. I've been doing my stuff, and he just came in, he was busy trying to figure out things," Varlamov said. "We had a game and now have another game, so he's getting ready for the games and stuff, but I don't think he changed. Patrick is just being Patrick, and like I said, he's a great leader, and that is what this team needs: great leadership."
When we spoke to Roy during his introductory press conference, he told The Hockey News that he wants goalie coach Piero Greco to be the only voice but would help out on the mental side of things because he went through a lot as a player.
"I had a lot of support from him mentally, and he always gave us good tips for all the goalies that played during those years," Varlamov said. "We always felt like we had two goalie coaches, and we really enjoyed working with him."
Varlamov also knows that under Roy, there's more accountability as a goalie if he lets one in than he should have.
"[Roy] knows that it's on you. You can't escape that, so sometimes you feel a little bit of extra pressure if you give up an easy goal," Varlamov said with a laugh.
Roy was a legendary goalie who had a Hall of Fame career, winning four Stanley Cups, three Conn-Smythe trophies, and a handful of Vezina's before hanging up the skates.
Despite growing up in Russia, Varlamov knew Roy's game.
"We all knew Patrick Roy since we were kids back home, two of the most popular teams were the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche," Varlamov said. Everybody remembers those playoff games back in the late '90s and early 2000s when Detroit and Colorado went against each other.
"Patrick played unbelievable during those years, he won the Cup with Colorado twice, so of course, he was an idol for a lot of young goalies, and everybody knew his name."
Health-wise, Varlamov, who was activated out of Injured Reserve Monday, is feeling good after dealing with a lower-body injury forcing him to miss the better part of 10 games.
"It's good, I've done a lot of rehab in the past few weeks, so I'm glad it's over and that I can just focus on my game and then focus on practices with the team, which is always nice to be back," Varlamov said. "When you're doing rehab and doing all that stuff, it feels like it takes forever, so I'm glad it's over, and I feel healthy and ready to go."