Semyon Varlamov being held out of Islanders practices and preseason games doesn’t seem like a precaution anymore.
Head coach Barry Trotz told reporters on Wednesday that his No. 1 goalie is likely out for New York’s final two preseason games, and his availability for the team’s season opener against the Hurricanes next week is certainly in question.
As a result, Ilya Sorokin and Cory Schneider will handle the goaltending duties for the final two preseason games, with Sorokin likely being the starting goalie when the season begins.
“We’ll probably zone in on Sorokin and Schneider,” Trotz said. “Varly’s not gonna play [Thursday] night and unlikely he will play against the Rangers right now. We’re really looking at the Carolina game right now…working that way just to get back on the ice here. We’re gonna take our time as we said, so right now, the window’s getting a little short for Varly for even opening night.”
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Sorokin handled a share of the goaltending duties during the playoffs, when Varlamov was dealing with a nagging injury that appears to have continued into the offseason and now into the preseason. It appears that will carry over into the start of this season.
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