Semyon Varlamov returned to the ice for the New York Islanders on October 6, 2026, after a 676-day absence due to injuries, including two partial knee replacements. Varlamov, 38, started in a game against the New York Rangers, marking his first regular-season appearance since his injury. He reported feeling '100 percent' and stated, 'Nothing holds me back.' Despite the Islanders losing 5-2, Varlamov's return is seen as significant, especially considering the rarity of athletes returning from similar surgeries. Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche noted that the team's doctors were impressed with Varlamov's recovery. His teammate Kyle Palmieri expressed excitement about Varlamov's return, highlighting the hard work Varlamov put into his rehabilitation. Varlamov is expected to serve as the backup goaltender this season, with plans for him to start at least 30 games behind Ilya Sorokin.
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Semyon Varlamov Returns to Islanders After 676 Days
Semyon Varlamov made his return to the New York Islanders on October 6, 2026, after a 676-day absence due to injuries, including two partial knee replacements. Despite a 5-2 loss to the Rangers, Varlamov reported feeling fully recovered and is expected to play a significant role as the backup goaltender this season.
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- ✕ loaded language: 'stunning'
- ✕ headline asserts a conclusion / scare-quotes
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Semyon Varlamov makes stunning return to Islanders after 676-day wait: ‘Nothing holds me back’
Semyon Varlamov Returns to Islanders After 676 Days