There's no question that Ilya Sorokin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/ilya-sorokin-new-york-islanders-vezina-trophy-finalist-2022-23] is the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/new-york-islanders-lou-lamoriello-lane-lambert-silence-static-2023-offseason] starting netminder heading into 2023-24. But who will his backup be? Ask The Maven: Fischler Shares Greatest Game He's Ever Seen Live Semyon Varlamov [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/semyon-varlamov-new-york-islanders-ilya-sorokin-contract], a pending unrestricted free agent, has done incredible things for the franchise since signing a four-year deal worth $5 million annually in the summer of 2019. The 35-year-old, who appeared in a career-low 23 games this past season, still can be a starter for several teams in the league but seems adamant about staying on Long Island. "I would love to stay with a team," Varlamov said come season's end. "I have a good feeling about this team and about the future. So I want to be part of it." Since the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline, Varlamov has been adamant about wanting to remain with New York. His mind is unchanged, even with a lack of playing time down the stretch and no minutes in the postseason. "It didn't change anything. Like I said before, I want to stay with the team, you know? I told you before that, and then nothing's changed," Varlamov said. Varlamov and Sorokin have a rather close relationship, which is playing a role in his desire to stay. New York Islanders Chat With Stefen Rosner [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4MzY3MDEzMjUxMzI3ODI5/screenshot-2023-06-01-at-64347-pm.png] New York Islanders Chat With Stefen Rosner The Islanders have a salary-cap problem, and with upgrades needed on both sides of the puck, the last thing the Islanders should be spending money on is a backup netminder who will likely make under 25 starts. That's not to say that a backup goaltender isn't a valuable asset, given that 25 starts mean 50 potential points on the table. But the Islanders must be smart about how much they throw at that position. If Varlamov is willing to take a 50 percent pay cut and sign a two to three-year deal for $2.5 million annually, that's a no-brainer for New York. Maybe, the Islanders would go as far as $2.75, but the more money Varlamov gets, the more of a struggle it will be for general manager Lou Lamoriello not just to make upgrades to the roster but retain his other pending UFAs. The Islanders do not have any goaltenders ready in the pipeline to back up Sorokin at pennies on the dollar, as RFA Jakub Skarek has not progressed much, and there's a chance he isn't brought back. So, if Varlamov is not willing to take that much of a pay cut or enough of a pay cut, here are three pending unrestricted free-agent netminders that can be brought to Long Island: ALEX NEDELJKOVIC Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4MzYwNDU4ODYyNzk4Mzgy/usatsi_20358935.jpg] Alex Nedeljkovic [https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/n/nedelal01.html] burst onto the scene with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2021-22, boasting a 1.90 GAA with a .932 SV% in 23 starts. The then 25-year-old was a finalist for the Calder Trophy and seemed to be the future for Carolina. But then, in a crazy turn of events, the Hurricanes shipped Nedeljkovic to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for goaltender Jonathan Bernier and a 2021 third-round pick. Nedeljkovic inked a two-year deal with $6 million ($3M AAV) upon his acquisition. In his first year with Detroit, Nedeljkovic suffered a sophomore slump, posting a 3.31 GAA with a .901 SV% in 59 starts. Because of his struggles, Detroit's GM Steve Yzerman made another major goaltending trade in July of 2022, acquiring rising star Ville Husso from the St. Louis Blues, which in theory, would give the Red Wings a strong one-two punch if Nedeljkovic could bounce back. He did not, as the Ohio native played to a bloated 3.53 GAA with a severely underwhelming save percentage of .895, while Husso also struggled. On Jan. 15, the Red Wings placed Nedeljkovic on waivers, which he cleared. The Red Wings don't have a backup signed heading into free agency and could bring Nedelkovic back if they still believe in him, but why would the 27-year-old nemtinder want to return to the organization? Exactly. Because of Nedeljovic's struggles, the Islanders could see him as a reclamation project, and with all the leverage, they could bring in the questionable netminder on a one-year, $1 million deal which would save them an extra million to a million plus. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANTTI RAANTA Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4MzYwODgzNTI3Njg5Nzc0/usatsi_20524116.jpg] Remember him? Antti Raanta [https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/r/raantan01.html] helped the Hurricanes advance past the Islanders in Round One of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He wasn't brilliant, but in critical moments, he made some vital saves before handing the keys to a healthy Frederik Andersen for most of the remainder of their playoff run. Raanta, 34, has been rather consistent over his NHL career, wherever he's gone, and is coming off a season where he posted his lowest GAA of his 10-year career, at 2.23 (not including his 14 games with Chicago in 2014-15). With a .910 SV% to go with that, Raanta could be just what the Islanders need at the backup position if Varlamov walks. As for the Hurricanes, Raanta and Andersen are pending UFAs. "Both goalies want to come back, we know that... We just want to make sure we do our due diligence, not only on our guys but (also) make sure we know what the options are," Hurricanes GM Don Waddel said (H/t Walt Ruff [https://twitter.com/WaltRuff/status/1663935981001555971]). Third-string netminder Pyotr Kotchetkov is the future at 23 and is under contract for the next three seasons at a $2 million annual cap hit. So, one would think it's Andersen or Raanta, and Andersen is the starting netminder. Although UBS Arena in Elmont is not the bright lights of Broadway and MSG, Raanta did spend two years with the New York Rangers (2015-17) and played quite well. Raanta's expiring deal carries a cap hit of $2 million, and one wouldn't expect a heavy increase, if any, with an evaluation for him between $2 to 2.5 million-- which works for the Islanders. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JAMES REIMER Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4MzYwOTY3NTQ3OTg3NTAy/usatsi_20169826.jpg] The 35-year-old James Reimer has been around the block over his 13-year NHL career. He came up with the Toronto Maple Leafs, playing over five seasons with them. Since leaving Toronto via trade in 2015-16, Reimer has moved four times in eight years, including two stints with the San Jose Sharks. Reimer did not have a great year on a brutal Sharks team, posting a .890 SV% with a 3.48 GAA, but would not be considered a "bad" goaltender at all. A free agent for potentially the last time in his career, Reimer would likely want to be on a more competitive team rather than part of a rebuild. Now, Lamoriello was the one who traded Reimer out of Toronto, citing the need to see what the younger netminders in the Maple Leafs organization had to offer at the time. But we know Lamoriello loves his former players. And Lamoriello could bring in Reimer at around the same as Raanta ($2-$2.5 M) as his expiring deal was worth $2.25 million annually.
